A sixteen year old boy, who Police Chief Tim Gladis describes as the ringleader, was charged with trespassing and criminal mischief after an alert citizen took a cell phone picture of him as he was vandalizing property.


However, Chief Gladis says the teen continued vandalizing local property even after he was charged, so he was declared delinquent and sent to the Tobin Center juvenile facility on Monday.


Detectives say the teen implicated two other teens who were allegedly committing similar crimes city-wide. One of the suspects showed police the property they had damaged. Police expect to file charges against him and the other suspect.


Now police say they are following up on evidence that may lead them to another crew of graffiti suspects.


Chief Gladis says since May of last year, there have been more than sixty reported cases of spray paint and permanent marker being used to deface city property, local businesses, signs and cars.


In a letter to Columbiana City Manager Lance Willard, Chief Gladis writes, "Allowing these types of cases to languish invites even more damage and reduces the quality of life throughout the city."


Gladis says that anyone identified as being involved in these crimes will be charged.