In Santa Rosa, Gang-Taunting Graffiti Scars Park Named For Man Of Nonviolence

SANTA ROSA - Police in Santa Rosa have arrested two men for their suspected roles in spraying gang-related graffiti at a park named in the memory of nonviolence activist Martin Luther King.

According to police, the gang-related graffiti depicted two rival Santa Rosa gangs "disrespecting and threatening each other using words, signs and symbols."

The graffiti defaced a neighborhood mural in Martin Luther King Park that depicts local and national civil rights and community members who represent the neighborhood.

Police say they arrested two Santa Rosa residents, 21-year-old Angel Alberto Santiago and a 17-year-old juvenile, on charges of vandalism and gang enhancement, after gang-taunting tags were found throughout MLK Park and the surrounding neighborhood in early July.

The gang-related graffiti also covered numerous buildings along the 1300 block of Temple Ave.

Santa Rosa police believe the juvenile is responsible for the majority of the gang-related graffiti done to the buildings and mural in MLK Park, and within surrounding South Park neighborhood.

According to Santa Rosa police, the tagging was first noticed in early June when a detective assigned to the Gang Crimes Team noticed an extraordinary amount of gang-related vandalism throughout the park and neighborhood.

In the ensuing investigation, police say evidence related to the vandalism was located during a served search warrant, and Santiago was arrested on Wednesday, July 13.

Two days later, on Friday, July 15, detectives arrested the 17-year-old juvenile, whose name will not be released.

Santiago was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on two felony charges: PC 594(b)(1) – Vandalism ($400 or more) and PC 186.22(b)(1) – Gang Enhancement.

The juvenile was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on the following charges: PC 594(b)(1) – Vandalism ($400 or more) and PC 186.22(b)(1) – Gang Enhancement.

Santa Rosa police encourage anyone who witnesses criminal activity to immediately call and report the activity to the police department at (707) 528-5222.

Police say completely confidential and anonymous messages about gang activity can be left at 707-543-GANG (4264).

-image via Santa Rosa police