By Khalida Sarwari
A 19-year-old man suspected of committing more than 160 acts of vandalism in Santa Cruz County was arrested today, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies arrested Aptos resident Alfonso “Pancho” Ramirez following an 18-month investigation that identified Ramirez as a vandal allegedly responsible for $11,700 in damage throughout the county, the sheriff’s office said.
Ramirez was booked into Santa Cruz County jail on felony vandalism and graffiti charges. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
In addition to the county, victims of the graffiti included residents, business owners, the California Department of Transportation, and the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville.
The damage was documented by the sheriff’s office as well as neighborhood groups, the Graffiti Removal Project and Santa Cruz’s redevelopment agency.
The sheriff’s office estimates that vandals cause more than $1 million in damage each year in Santa Cruz County.