- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
One arrested for Kelseyville High school vandalism, second suspect sought
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A suspect has been arrested in what is reported to be the worst case of gang graffiti that has taken place at Kelseyville High School.
Bulmaro Mendez Flores, 18, of Finley was arrested on Saturday evening by Deputy Jay Vanoven on suspicion of having tagged the high school last Friday night, according to Principal Matt Cockerton.
Flores was not a student at the high school or any school in the district, according to Cockerton.
Cockerton said a second suspect, whose name was not divulged, also is being sought.
Damages to the school are estimated at about $2,500 for removal and repainting, Cockerton said.
“This is the worst tagging that we’ve ever had,” Cockerton said.
Using white and blue paint, the suspects painted gang graffiti and obscenities on windows, doorways, lockers and the sides of buildings at the school.
“We tried to get some of it off this morning with our best stuff and we couldn’t get it off,” Cockerton said Monday.
He said the school has hired a local painter who on Tuesday will begin the work of removing the tagging.
Cockerton credited the sheriff’s office for doing “an outstanding job,” with Vanoven handling the case, assisted by Deputy Cynthia Radoumis, the school’s resource officer.
He said there are aspects of the case that are still being put together, with surveillance footage from the school’s cameras being used as evidence. Cockerton said there is some additional footage the school will be sharing with authorities.
As for the possibility that the school may get some restitution fees, Cockerton said there is a long process ahead, but he expects there will be funds at some point.
Flores, listed as a student on his booking sheet, is charged with two felony counts of criminal street gang participation, four felony criminal street gang enhancements, two charges of felony vandalism, a misdemeanor vandalism charge, as well as misdemeanors of fighting or challenging to a fight in a public place and obstructing or resisting an officer.
Bail was set at $25,000, and he remained in custody early Tuesday, with a court appearance scheduled for later in the day, according to jail records.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.