High school student's arrest may be related to school graffiti

A Carson High School student, who allegedly ran from deputies and was found to be carrying spray paint, is suspected in a rash of graffiti incidents at Carson Middle School.

Troy Szczotka, 18, was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer and destruction of property.

According to the arrest report, at 12:25 a.m. deputies were patrolling the middle school, which sustained thousands of dollars in damage from graffiti in the past two weeks, when they spotted Szczotka "walking hurriedly west on King Street as he looked over at us."

When deputies Keith Bopko and Don Gibson approached Szczotka to talk, he allegedly ran south onto Carville Street. According to the report, the deputies could hear what sounded like spray paint cans rattling in the backpack Szczotka carried.

"(Szczotka) then ran into a back yard at 207 Carville where he discarded his backpack. He then jumped the fences subsequently breaking the fence at 211 Carville as he fell into rose bushes behind 215 Carville," Bopko wrote in the report. Szczotka was apprehended in the yard of 215 Carville.

The report states deputies found the remains of rubber gloves on Szczotka's hands as well as latex gloves and a face scarf in his possession. They also allegedly found five cans of spray paint in his back pack. Szczotka's face was covered in scratches apparently from the tumble into the rose bushes.

"It should be noted that (Szczotka) openly admitted to several acts of graffiti," the report states.

Chief Deputy Steve Schuette said investigators have the case and once completed it will be forwarded to the district attorney's office for possible charges related to the graffiti.

Carson Middle School was first hit March 19th in more than 100 locations including on three vehicles. Two more incidents in the following days contributed to thousands of dollars in damage and prompted school officials to schedule the installation of surveillance cameras at the school. The school district is also considering installing outdoor lighting as a deterrent. Bordewich-Bray Elementary near the middle school also fell victim Thursday night to similar graffiti.

While several of the markings were indicative of a group that is against alcohol, sex and drugs, the sheriff's department believes several groups may be responsible for the incidents.

It's unclear if Szczotka is a member of a such a group.

He posted a bail of $1,239 and was released from custody.

You can help

• Anyone with information about the recent vandalism of Carson Middle School and Bordewich-Bray Elementary School is urged to call Secret Witness at 322-4900. All information will be considered confidential.

Vandalism occurred the evenings of March 19, March 26 and Thursday.

Reward

• The school district has offered a $200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators and Secret Witness has added an additional $500.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.