MARYSVILLE — Four teenagers suspected of spray-painting graffiti on an elementary school and the Marysville Public Library on Monday night have been arrested and booked into the Denney Juvenile Justice Center in Everett.
A neighbor reported hearing several people on the Grove Elementary Scho
ol campus in the 6400 block of Grove Street. The caller said it sounded like someone was spraying paint, Marysville police Lt. Darin Rasmussen said.
Police were called about 11:30 p.m.
They spotted one teen on the roof and three on the ground, Rasmussen said. Police found a backpack belonging to one of the boys that contained spray paint cans of the same colors as the graffiti on the school.
The boys — 14 and 15 years old — were from Marysville and Lake Stevens. They were arrested for investigation of first-degree malicious mischief.
“It’s very effective when you can catch (them) in the act and they can see the immediate consequences,” Rasmussen said. “It shows there are repercussions.”
Officers found freshly painted graffiti on the school building.
Marysville School District security staff verified that the graffiti had not been on the building earlier in the evening, Rasmussen said.
School officials also reported 10 windows had been damaged with scratches on the glass. Superintendent Larry Nyland said it was too early to know if the windows will need to be replaced.
Other locations were tagged, including the Marysville Public Library, Rasmussen said.
On Tuesday, crews were cleaning up the scrawl left at the school.
Nyland said he appreciates the efforts by neighbors and police to catch the suspects.
“Hopefully this discourages others,” he said.
School vandalism, including graffiti, typically costs the district between $30,000 and $50,000 a year, Nyland said.
Marysville has tried to take an aggressive approach to cleaning up graffiti quickly, Rasmussen said. Volunteers have been a big part of the effort.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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