LAKE HAVASU CITY

2330 McCulloch Blvd. North

Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403-5947

www.lhcaz.gov

Charlie Cassens

Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs

Office – (928) 854-4212 Cell – (928) 486-8879 Fax – (928) 680-4892

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2008

Police Arrest Six for Criminal Damage and Graffiti

Lake Havasu City Police arrested six suspects and charged them with criminal damage involving graffiti and damage to vehicles. All six suspects are believed to be part of “C.I.D.” (Criminals Initiating Damage), which is affiliated with the Sureno street gang.

Detectives with the Street Crimes Unit (SCU) developed information on criminal damage occurring at Lake Havasu High School, 2675 S. Palo Verde Blvd, Thunderbolt Middle School, 695 Thunderbolt Ave, and Rotary Community Park, 1400 S. Smoketree Blvd. through an anonymous silent witness tip and photos on my-space accounts. The information led to the arrest of:

Ø Mauricio Morales, age 16, who was charged with 4 counts of Criminal Damage, a class 6 Felony.

Ø Victor A. Zayas, age 18, charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Criminal Damage, a class 5 Felony.

Ø Jose A. Carrillo, age 18, charged with 3 counts of Criminal Damage, a class 6 Felony.

These three suspects are all students at Lake Havasu High School. The charges stem from several incidents at the school where markers were used to write on a door, a bathroom stall, and bleachers. Additionally, three vehicles at the school were damaged by rocks and eggs. The three were arrested Wednesday, January 9, at Lake Havasu High School. Morales is charged with one count of criminal damage after investigation revealed he had defaced a restroom at Rotary Community Park on Friday January 4, 2008.

Detectives also arrested two Thunderbolt Middle School students after investigation indicated they were part of C.I.D. and used markers to deface the boy’s locker room and a bathroom. Arrested were:

Ø Jimmy A. Hill, age 15, who was charged with one count of aggravated criminal damage, a class 5 Felony.

Ø Marco A. Rodriguez, age 13, charged with one count of aggravated criminal damage, a class 5 Felony.

These two suspects are students of Thunderbolt Middle School and were arrested at the school on Wednesday January 9, 2008.

On Thursday, January 10, detectives completed a Juvenile Referral on a sixth suspect, Carlos J. Garcia, age 17. Garcia was charged with three counts of criminal damage at L.H.H.S. Garcia currently does not attend school.

The investigation into C.I.D. and criminal damage is continuing.

Contact: Lieutenant Richie Sloma 928-680-5420

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