EXETER – A man deputies believe to be responsible for the theft and vandalism of several different locations in Exeter was arrested this week.
Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area of Avenue 296 near Exeter after it was reported that someone had broken into a detached garage. Deputies arriving on the scene discovered that the main house had also been vandalized, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The property was found to be vandalized with numerous tagging type graffiti spray painted throughout the interior and exterior portions of the residence and detached buildings,” the sheriff’s office stated.
Phyiscal evidence was located at the crime scene and the subsequent investigation linked 31-year-old Justin Velasquez to the crime as a possible suspect. When they contacted him at his residence, they found that he was in possession of numerous items used for tagging, according to the sheriff’s office.
They also found additional evidence allegedly linking Velasquez to additional locations that had been burglarized. Others allegedly targeted by the suspect were Pinky’s Produce with damages of $200, Sierra Sporting Goods with damages of $400, Waste Management Co. with damages of $200, and Tulare County with damages of $400. The suspect caused more than $1,200 in damages in all, according to the sheriff’s office.
Valesquez was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on charges of felony vandalism and burglary.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy K. Jones at (559) 733-6218.
