On Saturday, March 16, 2013 while on routine patrol, a deputy assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station conducted an enforcement stop of an adult male near Newhall Avenue. The deputy arrested the man after reportedly finding methamphetamine in his possession. During the contact, the proactive deputy quickly realized that the suspect closely matched the description of the man being sought in connection with 160 recent incidents of graffiti related vandalism and tagging in Santa Clarita.

The suspect, Newhall resident Nicolas Palma, male Hispanic age 19, was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance. COBRA detectives were notified and began an immediate follow-up investigation into Mr. Palma’s potential involvement in the incidents of graffiti.

This morning, Monday, March 18, COBRA detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station served a search warrant at Mr. Palma’s Newhall residence. Through the investigation, detectives reportedly uncovered additional information and evidence believed to be connected to the many of the recent incidents of vandalism. Mr. Palma is alleged to have committed in excess of $40,000 worth of graffiti-related vandalism.

Detectives will submit the information to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. Mr. Palma is currently being held at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in lieu of $10,000 bail. Mr. Palma is scheduled to appear in North Valley Superior Court in San Fernando tomorrow, March 19, 2013.