5 arrested following mailbox smashing spree

Five juvenile males, ages 16 and 17, were cited on misdemeanor vandalism charges at 11:52 p.m. Jan. 2 in Simi Valley.

Simi Valley police have been investigating vandalism crimes occurring in the city during the past three weeks.

On Jan. 2, several residents reported their mailboxes had been smashed. These crimes occurred at about 14 different locations south of Royal Avenue near Sinaloa just prior to midnight.

While responding to the calls, an officer spotted a vehicle that matched the description given by one of the victims.

The vehicle was detained, along with five juvenile male occupants wearing dark clothing.

The subjects allegedly committed the damage by kicking over the mailboxes and then using other unknown objects to further destroy them.

Each subject was transported to the Simi Valley Police Department and released to their parents.

The cases will be forwarded to the district attorney's office for prosecution.

The police are seeking information from other residents who may have been victimized but have not yet reported the incident.

Anyone wishing to report being a victim of one of these crimes should call the police department at (805) 583-6950.