post #1
29 September 2006, 02:01 UTC#1
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ta...1&cset=true
haha
Edit:: for those of you who can't view the link
Mom Accused of Helping Sons Make Their Mark -- on Buildings
Police say an Echo Park woman drove five teenagers around so they could spray graffiti. About 100 sites were hit, authorities contend.
By Amanda Covarrubias and Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writers
August 30, 2006
On Avalon Street in Echo Park, Victoria Villicano is known as a devoted mother who is often seen behind the wheel of her SUV, driving her two teenage sons to stores and sporting events.
But Los Angeles Police Department detectives say the 42-year-old woman also drove a five-member tagging crew, including her two children, around Silver Lake and Echo Park, stopping long enough for the group to jump out and vandalize.
Authorities believe the crew is responsible for spray-painting about 100 sites along Sunset Boulevard, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Their alleged reign came to an end last week when police received a call about some teens tagging a 7-Eleven store in Silver Lake.
Undercover vandalism detectives said they found one of Villicano's sons — with fresh paint on his hands — near a wall, dumping clothing and paint cans into a trashcan. Police found the other alleged taggers waiting with Villicano in her SUV.
"This had to be a first," said one of the detectives, who asked that his name not be used because of the nature of his work.
But a relative said the allegations do not square with the woman he knows.
Ray Bermudez, Villicano's stepfather, said she would often leave the house with her sons, but it was to go shopping or play sports.
"She goes shopping, she comes back and it's normal," said Bermudez, 60, who shares a small ramshackle house with Villicano and her two sons, ages 15 and 19. "She's a good mom. She's old enough to know better."
Villicano and her 19-year-old son, David Ramirez, were scheduled to be appear today in Los Angeles County Superior Court on five counts of felony vandalism of more than $400. Four juveniles ranging in age from 14 to 16, including Villicano's 15-year-old son, are also being held.
Detectives said they found the letters "HIV" or "HIVC" spray-painted at both sites, as well as at about 100 other locations within a two-mile area along Sunset Boulevard between Virgil Avenue and Lemoyne Street. Law enforcement sources said the moniker stood for either "High in Violence" or "High in Vandalism." Detectives are investigating whether the rash of graffiti was part of some rivalry with another tagging crew.
haha
Edit:: for those of you who can't view the link
Mom Accused of Helping Sons Make Their Mark -- on Buildings
Police say an Echo Park woman drove five teenagers around so they could spray graffiti. About 100 sites were hit, authorities contend.
By Amanda Covarrubias and Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writers
August 30, 2006
On Avalon Street in Echo Park, Victoria Villicano is known as a devoted mother who is often seen behind the wheel of her SUV, driving her two teenage sons to stores and sporting events.
But Los Angeles Police Department detectives say the 42-year-old woman also drove a five-member tagging crew, including her two children, around Silver Lake and Echo Park, stopping long enough for the group to jump out and vandalize.
Authorities believe the crew is responsible for spray-painting about 100 sites along Sunset Boulevard, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Their alleged reign came to an end last week when police received a call about some teens tagging a 7-Eleven store in Silver Lake.
Undercover vandalism detectives said they found one of Villicano's sons — with fresh paint on his hands — near a wall, dumping clothing and paint cans into a trashcan. Police found the other alleged taggers waiting with Villicano in her SUV.
"This had to be a first," said one of the detectives, who asked that his name not be used because of the nature of his work.
But a relative said the allegations do not square with the woman he knows.
Ray Bermudez, Villicano's stepfather, said she would often leave the house with her sons, but it was to go shopping or play sports.
"She goes shopping, she comes back and it's normal," said Bermudez, 60, who shares a small ramshackle house with Villicano and her two sons, ages 15 and 19. "She's a good mom. She's old enough to know better."
Villicano and her 19-year-old son, David Ramirez, were scheduled to be appear today in Los Angeles County Superior Court on five counts of felony vandalism of more than $400. Four juveniles ranging in age from 14 to 16, including Villicano's 15-year-old son, are also being held.
Detectives said they found the letters "HIV" or "HIVC" spray-painted at both sites, as well as at about 100 other locations within a two-mile area along Sunset Boulevard between Virgil Avenue and Lemoyne Street. Law enforcement sources said the moniker stood for either "High in Violence" or "High in Vandalism." Detectives are investigating whether the rash of graffiti was part of some rivalry with another tagging crew.
