5 arrested in west side vandalism case
More than 2 dozen homes affected
Published On: Apr 15 2015 10:25:47 AM CDT

MADISON, Wis. - Five Madison teens have been arrested in connection with vandalism hate graffiti that appeared on many west-side Madison homes in February, according to Madison police.

More than two-dozen Madison families found vulgar language and ethnic and racial slurs spray-painted on their property on Feb. 14. Police said officers responded to 45 homes, mailboxes of vehicles that were damaged. Most of the damage was cause by paint balls or spray paint.

Damage totaled more than $30,000, according to police.

Robert Andrew Cin-Walker, 18, Bryce A. Kostelyna, 17, Matthew Marty, 18, Cristian A. Miller, 18, and Josiah L. Williams, 17, were arrested this week on suspicion of criminal damage to property.

Madison police said anti-Semitic beliefs were not behind the crimes. While most of the damage included profane language and explicit drawings, several contained racially based and anti-Semitic slurs and swastikas. Police said seven of the properties had anti-Semitic or racist messages, but none of the properties were home to any protected classes.[color="Blue"] Notice this!

Police said the teens chose the targets randomly and were primarily concerned with trying to avoid being seen.

Marty and Miller were also arrested on suspicion on burglary. Police said they took a fire extinguisher from a garage that was also used to cause damage during the vandalism spree.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/5-arrested-in-west-side-vandalism-case/32379666