Three people, including a 16-year-old boy, were arrested after they allegedly vandalized Tehachapi’s newly installed Snow Globe with graffiti.
The Tehachapi Police Department said that on Monday, December 1, 2025, the Public Works Department alerted officers to gang graffiti on the Snow Globe at Railroad Park.
The graffiti appeared on the inside wall of the Snow Globe, which the city installed for community members and visitors to take holiday photos while enjoying downtown festivities and upcoming seasonal events.
Police said the vandals didn’t realize the Snow Globe was under video surveillance. Footage allowed officers and other city employees to review the recordings and begin identifying suspects.
Investigators determined the graffiti happened on Sunday, November 30, 2025. According to the city’s social media page, the display had only been open to the public for three days, debuting on Thanksgiving.
Officers authored a search warrant and served it at a home in the 21300 block of Golden Hills Boulevard.
Police arrested three people: 36-year-old Stephanie Vasquez of Golden Hills, 22-year-old Arthur Gradias of Moreno Valley, and a 16-year-old boy from Golden Hills.
Police said they will complete additional cases involving the suspects and forward them to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office for review. Officers booked the two adults into the Kern County Jail, Lerdo Facility, and booked the juvenile into the James G. Bowles Youth Detention Center.
In a release, officials stated, “The City of Tehachapi Police Department is committed to maintaining a safe and happy holiday for our citizens, visitors and business owners. We would like to remind everyone that during the holiday, secure your residence and your belongings. Lock your vehicle and do not leave items in plain view. Please do not make yourself a victim of crimes of opportunity and report all suspicious behavior.”
They added, “We will not allow the Grinch to steal Christmas here in our wonderful community.”
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