Las Colinas Files: Tagger 'Haze' is Suspect in 300 Graffiti Cases

A young woman suspected of carrying out more than 300 graffiti offenses in Vista over the last eight months was behind bars at Las Colinas Wednesday, on suspicion of a slate of felony charges.

Deputies arrested Ramona Elena Montes, 18, in the inland North County city on Tuesday evening during a crackdown on tagging along stretches of railroad tracks and other areas targeted by those who deface property with slogans and gang monikers, according to sheriff's officials.

Investigators consider Montes a "high-profile" perpetrator who allegedly caused upwards of $105,000 worth of damage between last August and April, Sgt. Glen Twyman said.

Montes, who went by the tagging nickname "Haze," was booked into the Las Colinas women's jail in Santee on suspicion of a dozen vandalism counts and a conspiracy allegation, according to Twyman.

She was being held on $10,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

-City News Service

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