Telltale tattos lead to Horseshoe Bay grafitti culprits

By CHRIS PORTER • Daily Tribune Staff

HORSESHOE BAY - Most people have heard the expression “Talk to the hand,” but in a case involving a pair of suspected teen vandals, some telltale tattoos on a hand did all the speaking.

Police say those distinctive markings helped break a case after a playground and a vacant home in this Hill Country waterfront community were “tagged” with gang-style graffiti.

Some of the graffiti, according to police, matched the tattoo symbols on one of the teen’s hands.

The damage could cost more than $1,000 to remove.

Jesus Martinez, 17, of Horseshoe Bay, has been charged with criminal mischief under $1,500, according to Police Chief Bill Lane.

Arrangements have been made for Martinez to turn himself in to authorities this afternoon, Lane said.

A 13-year-old boy also was arrested and charged under juvenile statutes with graffiti pecuniary loss less than $1,500. The teen is currently in his parents’ custody pending an appearance before a juvenile court judge, Lane said.

Police say vandals struck at a Horseshoe Bay Property Owners’ Association-owned playground on Stagecoach Street and at a vacant home in the 200 block of Apache street, scrawling gang signs and text across both locations.

Police say the damage likely occurred sometime before Oct. 8.

“Our officers are constantly vigilant for this type of activity, as was proven by the fact we located the vandalism shortly after it occurred,” Lane said.

Police discovered graffiti at the Hollow Springs playground shortly after dark Oct. 8. Officers uncovered more graffiti at the vacant home the following day, Lane said.

“On some of the caricatures at both scenes, there were several markings with gang-style symbols,” Lane said.

Police initially heard reports of one young suspect who had markings on his hands matching some of the symbols, and follow-up investigations Oct. 9 turned up a 13-year-old male suspect with the incriminating tattoos.

“I believe they were a cheap type of tattoo, but they were permanent,” Lane said.

After police questioned the 13-year-old, officials quickly issued an arrest warrant for the older boy.

Despite the gang symbolism in the graffiti, Lane said there’s no evidence of gang activity in Horseshoe Bay.

“Fortunately, we view these suspects as only a couple of young ‘wannabes,’ as we have not been able to document any form of truly organized gang activity in this or any other sections of the community,” he said. “Vandalism of any form is such a senseless crime, and the painting of gang-style graffiti is even more stupid.”

Both suspects face Class A misdemeanor charges punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine not to exceed $4,000.

chris@thepicayune.com

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Telltale tattos lead to
Horseshoe Bay grafitti culprits