Two boys face criminal mischief charges in juvenile court for allegedly vandalizing five places with graffiti, some of it homophobic, with black spray paint in Valparaiso’s Central neighborhood in mid-July, police said.
Police began their investigation on July 16, according to a release from Sgt. Michael Grennes, public information for the Valparaiso Police Department.
Detective Jason Hamilton interviewed the teens, ages 13 and 15, and both reportedly admitted committing the vandalism, police said.
The boys are not in custody, police said.
The two allegedly told police they randomly picked the buildings and/or vehicles before spray-painting them. The damaged property included two vehicles, a business and two rental properties.
Several of the instances, according to the reports, featured the phrase, “El Gato,” as well as homophobic remarks, obscene drawings and vulgarities.
In the wake of the incidents, the Central Neighborhood Association and local clergy rallied to condemn the content of that graffiti, which in one instance covered almost the entire exterior wall of a rental property in the 600 block of North Lafayette Street.
Police are also investigating a July 27 report of the word “trash” written with light blue spray paint on the front door of a rental apartment in the 200 block of North Washington Street, though Grennes has said that instance is “not likely related to the other incidents.”
Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
