Two teens arrested in burglary, graffiti case
A victim's clue led to the arrest of two teens accused of burglarizing and spray-painting obscene graffiti in a Mesa woman's home Wednesday.
The victim, Elizabeth Williams, said during the initial investigation that her son's friend called the house Monday, shortly after she left for work. Although the call was not answered, the number left on the caller ID led authorities to the first suspect, the son's friend, a Mesa Police press release said.
Eventually another teen was linked and both went to the police station, along with their parents, where they reportedly admitted their involvement.
The teens led authorities to the stolen property and, with the exception of some jewelry, all of the stolen goods were recovered.
Both were booked on one count of second-degree burglary and one count of felony criminal damage. Due to the graphic nature of the graffiti, the case was also referred to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to be reviewed as a hate crime.
