Alleged graffiti artist accused of painting the town blue

An alleged graffiti artist who is accused of leaving a trail of blue paint across Carson Valley is in Douglas County custody.

Rafael Daniel Chapa Jr., 22, is scheduled to appear in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday, facing burglary, graffiti and giving a false name to deputies when he was arrested on Feb. 2.

Deputies responded Jan. 31 to several instances of graffiti in various areas of Gardnerville, including three stop signs at the intersection of Manhattan Way and Tillman Lane, a sign at Dresslerville Road and Tillman Lane, and both sides of Lutheran Bridge.

More graffiti was later found on a fence along Waterloo Lane near Lampe Park.

The graffiti was identified as being gang-related by the Regional Gang Task Force, comprised of Douglas County and Lyon County deputies, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

On Feb. 1, Chapa was identified as a suspect by the task force, and the next day he was stopped.

In addition to other contraband, there were several blue spray can tops in the back of the vehicle, according to court documents.

Chapa was arrested for the graffiti, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit a crime, ex-felon in possession of a firearm, providing false identification to delay prosecution, and traffic offenses. He was later identified as a suspect in a theft that occurred at Walmart during the weekend.

The public is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office if any other graffiti is located at 775-782-5126.

• A Gardnerville man was booked on Wednesday night after he allegedly battered a deputy.

Benjamin Roland Blackowl was scheduled to appear in East Fork Justice Court on Friday morning.

Blackowl was found inside someone else’s vehicle in Gardnerville and when deputies tried to pull him out, he struggled.

• A Lake Tahoe man is being held on a fugitive warrant out of El Dorado County and a probation violation after he allegedly violated a restraining order.

Carlos Oswaldo Barragan, 33, was booked into Douglas County jail on Feb. 2.

Barragan was in a vehicle that was being driven by the adverse party in a retraining order.

He appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday.

Barragan served a stretch 18-48-month prison sentence after admitting to a charge of attempted burglary in November 2017.

He was arrested in connection after he broke out the window of a vehicle at Stateline and stole a cell phone.

• A South Lake Tahoe woman is scheduled to appear in Tahoe Township Court on Tuesday.

Acayda Mayzi Babson, 21, is being held on a fugitive warrant in addition to facing a drug charge.

She was booked late Sunday night, according to Douglas County Jail records.