Four of five suspects in a recent vandalism spree that included an anti-gay hate crime have now turned themselves in, according to Arlington police.
Tiara Richard, a spokeswoman for the Arlington Police Department, said Friday afternoon that John Austin Cartwright, 17, reported to the Tarrant County Jail on Thursday night, while 18-year-old Seth Stephen Hatcher turned himself in earlier Friday.
Daniel Sibley, 18, was arrested Tuesday, and a juvenile female turned herself in to Arlington police on Wednesday night before being turned over to Tarrant County juvenile detention, Richard said. That leaves one adult female who is expected to surrender with an attorney at some point in the near future.
Two surveillance cameras on residences captured several teens spray-painting derogatory images and words on homes and cars in a total of 13 incidents on June 10. The second video captured the vehicle information and led to the identification of five teens ages 16-18.
The incidents included one in which the words “queers” and “faggot” were spray-painted on a lesbian couple’s SUV. The teens reportedly saw a sticker on the SUV featuring two female caricatures with a child and pet — and assumed they were gay before vandalizing the vehicle.
All suspects will be charged with the state jail felony of criminal mischief for damage ranging from $1,500-$20,000, police said. The punishment for a state jail felony is 180 days to two years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine. If the classification is enhanced by the hate crime statute to a third-degree felony, the teens could face two to 10 years behind bars in addition to the fine.