On January 7, 2017, at approximately 9:00 P.M., a Lake Havasu City police officer conducted a traffic stop on S.R. 95 near North Palo Verde Boulevard on a speeding vehicle which matched the description of a vehicle suspected in the recent rash of graffiti reports around town. During the traffic stop, the officer observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle. Officers from The Street Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
While searching the vehicle, two baggies of marijuana, a jar of marijuana and two digital scales were located. Also located in the vehicle was a bandana, a hooded sweatshirt, three hats, latex gloves, a ski mask, a crow-bar, a hammer, a window punch and heavy duty work gloves.
The driver of the vehicle, 18-year old Lake Havasu City resident Samantha Salyer, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. The passenger, 18-year old Lake Havasu City resident Cheyenne McMorran, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
The Street Crimes Unit continued the investigation and conducted further interviews on Salyer about the graffiti. It was discovered that Salyer was the driver of the vehicle on the night of Monday, January 2, 2017, when some of the graffiti incidents took place. Salyer’s vehicle is a 2016 silver 4-door Toyota Scion iA, and it was captured on surveillance video at one of the “tagged’ locations. Salyer’s boyfriend Camilio Gutierrez and two others, Markos Martinez and Brayan Castro, were also in the vehicle. The locations were both privately owned and city owned property and according to the suspects, were chosen at random.
Officers from the Street Crimes Unit responded to the residence of one of the suspect’s in the 3600 block of Swordfish Drive. Camilo Gutierrez, 20-year old Lake Havasu City resident, and Markos Martinez, 19-year old Lake Havasu City resident, were both taken into custody without incident at that location.
Camilio Gutierrez and Markos Martinez were each charged with 16 misdemeanor counts of criminal damage-graffiti. During their initial appearance, Gutierrez and Martinez were held on a $10,000 bond and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
Samantha Salyer was charged with 16 misdemeanor counts of criminal damage-graffiti, in addition to the drug paraphernalia charge. Cheyenne McMorran was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors. McMorran was not involved in any of the graffiti incidents. During their initial appearances, Salyer and McMorran were both released on their own recognizance.
Brayan Castro, 20-year old Lake Havasu City resident, is a suspect in the graffiti incidents and is still outstanding. Anyone with information as to Castro’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Lake Havasu City Police Department.
Anonymous information can be called into Lake Havasu Silent Witness at 928-854-TIPS (8477). Citizens can utilize the police department’s anonymous text messaging tip service by texting LHCPD and your message to “CRIMES” or 274637. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through a web page based tip service at www.tipsoft.com or via the “TipSubmit” mobile application. Anyone using Android, Windows or Apple platforms can download the LHCPD app and submit a tip through the app as well.
Public Information Officer: Sergeant Tom Gray (928) 855-1171
Attachments: Booking photos of Samantha Salyer, Camilio Gutierrez, Markos Martinez, and Cheyenne McMorran.