FBI, LAPD investigate tagging of Learjet at Van Nuys Airport
Andrew Blankstein (Los Angeles Times) | July 12, 2013
Authorities are investigating an incident in which a $2.3-million Learjet was spray painted with graffiti in a secure area of Van Nuys Airport, a crime that Los Angeles police said was gang-related.
The jet, which was vandalized with black spray paint spelling out “flame,” “R.I.P.” and an unidentified initial on the left front fuselage, was parked in an overflow area of the tarmac near Maguire Aviation in the 7100 block of Valjean Avenue at the time of the incident, said law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.
There were also several initials spray painted on the tail of the aircraft.
The graffiti is believed to be “gang related and gang initiated,” said LAPD spokesman Rudy Lopez, who did not elaborate on the particulars of the investigation, which is being conducted with Los Angeles Airport Police and the FBI.
The incident took place between 2 and 2:23 a.m. Sunday, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage to the Learjet Model 60 registered to an aviation company in Malibu, according to the sources, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak.
“This is a big deal to me, to have somebody who could get onto the airfield and who could do that kind of damage, that kind extensive graffiti to an aircraft, and not be seen,” said Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon. “I’m not happy about it.”
Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-fbi-lapd-probe-who-tagged-lear-jet-at-van-nuys-airport-20130712,0,2676821.story