Teen arrested in graffiti case

Yuma police on Sunday arrested a Yuma teenager suspected of defacing property at a local park with spray paint.

  According to Yuma Police Department spokesman Officer Clint Norred, police responded to Kennedy Park, 2251 S. Kennedy Lane, at about 8:45 p.m. after witnesses reported seeing someone spray painting graffiti at the park.

  "It was quite extensive," Norred said. "It was on a bench, the skate ramp and some walls."

  Upon their arrival, officers made contact with 19-year-old Marcos Rene Jaine, and later arrested him after finding evidence that led them to believe he allegedly was involved in the graffiti incident.

  Jaine, who made his initial appearance in Justice Court on Monday, was booked into the Yuma County jail on felony charges of promoting a criminal syndicate and threatening and intimidating, as well as misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage.

  "The 'promoting a criminal syndicate' charge comes from the type of graffiti," Norred said, which usually means street gang symbols.

  Justice of the Peace David Cooper advised Jaine that the county attorney's office was reviewing the case to see what, if any, charges would be filed.

  As of Monday afternoon, however, no charges had been filed against Jaine. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday to find out if a formal complaint is filed against him.

  The judge released Jaine on his own recognizance.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.