Duo Arrested In Hollywood Hills Graffiti Mansion Investigation

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Days after an abandoned Hollywood Hills mansion made international headlines as a graffiti magnet, police arrested two people believed to be connected to the high-profile vandalism.

The abandoned multi-million-dollar mansion in the 7500 block of Mulholland Drive belongs to the son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton. Habitually defaced and overtaken by squatters, it became an eyesore to the community, seen by many as an embarrassing symbol of unchecked lawlessness.

Los Angeles Police Department officers were assigned to a special detail in the neighborhood and quickly arrested a man and a woman connected to the vandalism, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday.

Jacob Smith, 35, and Thomia Fagan, 19, were arrested Wednesday after tagging the mansion and fleeing in a Mercedes-Benz, according to police.

"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 sedan," the LAPD announced in a written statement. Officers immediately canvassed the area and successfully located the suspect vehicle with two suspects inside.

"The officer’s investigation revealed that both suspects had entered the private property and utilized spray paint to deface the property. Officers recovered several spray paint cans and a loaded unregistered firearm in one of the suspect’s purse," added the police.

Since headlines identified the derelict property's owner along with neighbor's concerns about the impact on the community, most of the graffiti had been covered by Thursday amid beefed up security.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is 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.