Graffitti leads to arrest of two teens

A pair of teenage boys have been arrested for tagging several buildings in the area with graffiti after being caught spray painting a power box early Saturday morning.

According to Kalispell Chief of Police Roger Nasset, an off-duty Flathead County deputy saw Reilly Stephenson, of Kalispell, and Brandon Hegstad, of Flathead County, both 17, tagging the box near North Meridian Road and Three Mile Drive while accompanied by a girl.

Kalispell officers were then called to the area, where they located Stephenson, Hegstad, and the 16-year-old girl, taking all three into custody for questioning. It was determined that the two boys were responsible for the recent vandalism to several school buses, and both were positively linked to the “TREE” and “SKOIP” graffiti that has shown up throughout town.

Stephenson and Hegstad were also linked to the vandalism and tagging of the alternate route tunnel, the sound wall near the Sunnyside Drive/South Meadows area, and the tunnel on U.S. 93 North near Flathead Valley Community College.

Many other locations around town have been vandalized, and the number of tags attributed to the boys is estimated in the hundreds. Cost estimates have not yet been compiled.

Anyone whose property has been tagged with “TREE” or “SKOIP” and have not reported it are asked to contact the police department so their damage can be included in the case.

Stephenson and Hegstad are preliminarily charged with criminal mischief and underage possession of tobacco.

The girl was released without charges.