TEENAGE GRAFFITI SUSPECTS ARRESTED BOYS NOT THOUGHT TO BE LINKED TO HATE CRIMES.

Byline: Amy Raisin Darvish Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Two teenagers suspected of defacing property with graffiti in Stevenson Ranch turned themselves in Tuesday, and now each faces four counts of vandalism, sheriff's deputies said.

After arresting the 16-year-old boys at the Santa Clarita sheriff's station, investigators said they do not believe the four graffiti incidents are related to a spree of hate-crime vandalism whose results were spotted at local schools and a church the weekend before Christmas.

``There were some similarities between the first (reports) of vandalism and the graffiti these boys were arrested for, but, especially after the arrests, we don't think they are related,'' sheriff's Detective Joe Dombrowski said.

The two boys, both Hart High students from Newhall, are suspected of painting lightning bolts last week on sidewalks, walls and a community mailbox in Stevenson Ranch, Dombrowski said.

The two will appear in Juvenile Court.

Authorities said residents who reported the Stevenson Ranch vandalism on Dec. 23 probably were more sensitive about graffiti after ethnic slurs and swastikas were spotted at three schools, a church and a local park just days before.

The hate-crime nature of the vandalism on public property and a church prompted county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

``We continue to investigate those crimes, and we urge anyone with information to call us,'' Dombrowski said.

People with information are asked to call the Santa Clarita sheriff's station at [phone].

Amy Raisin Darvish, [phone]

amy.raisin(at)dailynews.com