MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ) — Two teenagers were arrested in connection with 18 vandalism cases, two arson cases in Merced County and several vandalism cases in the Turlock area, deputies say.
It happened in the evening hours of November 24 in the Hilmar area when victims reported their car tires had been slashed.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to several of the tire slashing reports and were able to identify the car used in the crimes.
By the morning of November 25, deputies took 18 vandalism reports.
Deputies say detectives Chris Sziraki and Savi Soho were able to identify two suspects in the vandalism cases as Nelson Mancebo, 19 of Stevinson and Brenden Faria, 18 of Hilmar.
By the evening of November 25, deputies found Mancebo and Faria.
Deputies were able to link Faria and Mancebo to all 18 cases vandalism, two arson cases and several cases of vandalism in the Turlock area.
The two were also linked to a series of vandalism at the Dan Ramos Community Center where several windows had been broken over the last two months.
Investigators arrested Faria and Mancebo for conspiracy to commit a crime, misdemeanor vandalism, felony vandalism, and arson and they were booked into the Merced County Jail.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about these crimes to call Detective Savi Sohol or Detective Chris Sziraki at (209)385-7651 or (209)385-7472.
