Two 18-year-olds have been arrested on felony vandalism and hate crime charges in Thousand Oaks, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.
A media release issued by VCSO states that Thousand Oaks Patrol deputies received a report of two suspects who were captured on surveillance video vandalizing the walls of a commercial building on Monday.
The exact time and location of the incident were not released.
“The graffiti contained explicit hate speech and symbolism that targeted specific protected classes,” VCSO said.
Deputies launched an investigation which quickly identified the vehicle associated with the crime as well as the two teenaged suspects: Johann Bernhardt Patrick of Thousand Oaks and Matthew Rakowski of Simi Valley.
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Patrick was taken into custody on Tuesday in Thousand Oaks; a search warrant was executed at his residence that led to the discovery of additional evidence tying him to the crime, deputies said.
Rakowski was arrested the following day in Simi Valley. While he was being taken into custody, deputies located further evidence which tied him to the crime.
Both teens were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura on charges including felony vandalism, violation of civil rights and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Inmate search records indicate Rakowski was bailed out shortly after being booked; his court date is set for Oct. 30.
Patrick remains in jail on $5,000 bail with a court date scheduled for Oct. 28, according to inmate search records.
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