Five taggers arrested by San Bernardino police

A San Bernardino police operation focusing on vandalism outside the National Orange Show Events Center prior to the Paid Dues festival netted arrests of five men suspected of causing $100,000 in graffiti damage.

Police graffiti task force officers patrolled areas near the fairgrounds late Friday into Saturday morning before the concert, because vandals have hit the area prior to hip-hop and rave events in the past.

Officers spotted two men in the 600 block of South Arrowhead Avenue at 12:40 a.m., but they fled before additional officers arrived. Police found several areas heavily damaged with graffiti. Police saw the men tagging another area 20 minutes later near the corner of Orange Show Road and E Street.

Police apprehended five San Bernardino men, ranging in age from 18 to 24.

Police say the damage they caused the night of their arrest is estimated at more than $3,000, but they've been tied to more than $100,000 in prior damage.

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