AUTHORITIES ARREST TRIO IN GRAFFITI, GANG SWEEP.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

An early-morning sweep led to the arrests of one juvenile and two adults who authorities say have been involved in gang-related offenses, including scrawling graffiti.

Officials from the Simi Valley Police Department and Building and Safety Department, along with Ventura County probation officers, searched at nine locations throughout the city early Tuesday, according to Lt. Dick Thomas of the Police Department.

Thomas said Simi Valley officials consider graffiti and vandalism significant problems in the community.

``We view this as a serious problem,'' Thomas said. ``Sometimes people don't want to acknowledge it, but the best way to deal with it is to acknowledge it.''

During Tuesday's sweep, a 17-year-old boy, known as an active member of a Simi Valley tagging crew, was arrested for possession of marijuana and released on a citation, officials said.

Greg Monsour, 18, was arrested on a warrant alleging felony grand theft, officials said. Monsour was booked at Ventura County Jail and released Wednesday afternoon, jail officials said.

Juan Alvarengo, 20, was arrested on four warrants alleging vandalism, possession of stolen property, violation of probation and felony contempt of court, officials said.

Alvarengo remained in Ventura County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $8,700 bail, jail officials said.

Another teen-ager, whose name was not released because he is on juvenile probation, was caught with graffiti-related materials, authorities said. The teen was not arrested, but will be dealt with by his probation officer, officials said.

Two more individuals were issued citations for violating residential building and safety violations, including having hazardous wiring and failing to obtain required building permits, officials said.

Tuesday's sweep was the seventh in a series to combat gang violence and graffiti in the city.