Irvine, CA (Oct. 8, 2015): A man has been arrested for spraying graffiti in an Irvine park on several occasions. Mason Kennedy Modde, 19, was arrested for vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.
Over the course of two and a half months, there were approximately 10 incidents of graffiti in Turtle Rock Park. The vandalism was often in the flood channel and on dumpsters in the parking lot, and generated complaints and concern from residents and community members.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2015, an Irvine Police Department (IPD) officer observed a male suspect enter the flood control channel at Turtle Rock Park. The officer contacted Modde as the suspect exited the channel and found him in possession of a spray paint can. Inside the flood channel, the officer located fresh graffiti in the same color as that of Modde’s can.
Based on the investigation, it was determined that Modde had moved to Irvine at around the same time the graffiti started and that he had committed several of the documented graffiti cases.
According to the Community Oriented Policing Services of the U.S. Department of Justice, graffiti can cause a perception among residents of public disorder and negatively contribute to declines in property value. Additionally, the cost of graffiti clean-up is often passed on to taxpayers or private property owners.
Anyone who observes vandalism in progress or who observes pre-exiting graffiti is encouraged to contact IPD at 949-724-7000.
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