2 arrested in Hollywood Hills mansion vandalism investigation

A man and a woman were in custody Thursday in connection with the graffiti vandalism of one of two abandoned multimillion- dollar mansions in the Hollywood Hills, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday.

Jacob Smith, 35, and Thomia Fagan, 19, were arrested Wednesday by LAPD North Hollywood officers assigned to a special detail in the 7500 block of Mulholland Drive "due to a property having been habitually defaced with graffiti," the LAPD said in a statement.

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Smith was booked on suspicion of vandalism, and Fagan was booked on suspicion of "firearm in a vehicle," according to police, who reported that both were held without bail.

"On September 25 ... around 9:25 a.m., North Hollywood officers were assigned to a special detail on the 7500 block of Mulholland Drive due to a property having been habitually defaced with graffiti," the LAPD statement said.

"As the officers conducted their patrol, they were advised by community members that two suspects had just damaged the property with spray paint and had fled in a white Mercedes (Benz) sedan," the LAPD statement said. "Officers immediately canvassed the area and successfully located the suspect vehicle with two suspects inside.  Both suspects were taken into custody without incident and were positively identified as the two suspects that had damaged the property and fled.

"The officers' investigation revealed that both suspects had entered the private property and utilized spray paint to deface the property," the LAPD statement said. "Officers recovered several spray paint cans and a loaded unregistered firearm in one of the suspect's purse."

The home on Mulholland Drive, along with another in the area, are owned by John Middleton, whose father owns the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, according to KTLA5. Nearby residents have shared concerns for their safety, saying the tagging is getting worse. A neighbor told reporters that one of the properties attracted squatters and even illegal pop-up parties.

Most of the graffiti had been covered over by Thursday afternoon.

According to KTLA5, neighbors have criticized Middleton for letting the homes fall victim to those who often throw noisy parties. Since the complaints went public earlier this month, the properties appear to have been provided with better private security, the station reported.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call LAPD detectives at 818-754-8410, or  Crime Stoppers at 877-222-TIPS. Tipsters may also use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org .

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