More graffiti reported, police said

Three incidents of graffiti vandalism were reported in Costa Mesa Saturday morning, according to police.

Two of the reports were from Harbor Boulevard car dealerships. Theodore Robbins Ford reported that a car on the lot had been vandalized with a black marker around 8:30 a.m., Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Mark Manley said.

The marquee at the South Coast Toyota dealership was also tagged and had illegible block lettering, said David Viveros, who works at the dealership and reported the vandalism just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

The second location of graffiti vandalism was reported at an apartment complex in the 700 block of West Wilson Street. At press time, Costa Mesa Police were unable to provide more details about the report, other than that it occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday.

Manley said Harbor Boulevard is a common place for taggers to vandalize. He said it is possible the incidents at the two different locations are related.

It is unknown if any of the graffiti is gang-related. Manley said it can be hard to tell whether markings are made by gang members or tagging crews. All investigations are ongoing, he said.

On Thursday, the Daily Pilot reported that graffiti reports had almost doubled since last year. Costa Mesa Police Capt. Ron Smith told the Daily Pilot most of the vandalisms were not gang-related.

If residents notice graffiti vandalism in Costa Mesa, they can call the graffiti hotline at (714) 327-7491.