Full Notification

Prolific Taggers Arrested

Los Angeles: Los Angeles detectives, assisted by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and officers from the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, arrested two well-known, prolific taggers
January 13, after conducting morning raids in Norwalk, South Gate, and Long Beach. Aldo and Francisco Montoya, whose tags are “ALDOE” and “RUSIA” respectively, are responsible for losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Anyone familiar with downtown Los Angeles will recognize these tags,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, who heads up detectives for LAPD’s Central Police Station. “Make no mistake about it, these guys are not artists; they are prolific vandals who have cost the public and businesses thousands.”

Detectives released three photos of vandalism on a building at 117 Winston Street in downtown, a railroad trestle near the 710 freeway in Bell Gardens, and a Clear Channel billboard near the Grove in the Fairfax area.

After first serving a search warrant at the brothers’ parent's home in Norwalk, detectives found and arrested Aldo at a home in South Gate. Francisco was taken into custody in Long Beach. During the arrests, detectives found hundreds of slap tags and spray tips, along with paint cans and sketch books displaying their markings. Also seized were several hundred Ecstasy pills and high-grade marijuana.

Thirty-three-year-old Francisco has admitted to tagging since he was 12 years old. “He even knew and admired the infamous CHAKA,” Lt. Vernon said. “It’s difficult to total just how much damage these two brothers have caused over decades.”

Francisco and brother Aldo, 26, are part of a larger tagging crew called On the Run, or OTR. Francisco was booked for possession for sale of Ecstasy and his bail was set at $50,000. Aldo was booked for possession for sale of marijuana and his bail was set at $40,000. Both brothers were already on probation for prior convictions.

“I’d like to think that all taggers would be ‘on the run’ from future tagging after seeing how much jail time and restitution costs these two brothers will face,” Lt. Vernon added.

Repair estimates to paint out the RUSIA marking on the 710 Freeway rail trestle are at $25,000, due to the cost of shutting down the freeway and train crossing during the repairs.

Reporters can find more examples of the brothers’ tags displayed publically on FLICKR by searching for RUSIA OTR. Three photos are available from Media Relations Section along with this release

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD’s Central Detectives at (213) 972-1245. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

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