Man, 19, arrested in rash of graffiti at Irvine park

Irvine police arrested a man this week on suspicion of repeatedly vandalizing Turtle Rock Park with graffiti.

The park has had a rash of vandalism recently, police said. During the past 2 1/2 months, graffiti was reported there about 10 times, according to Irvine police spokeswoman Farrah Emami.

“The vandalism was often in the flood channel and on dumpsters in the parking lot, and generated complaints and concern from residents and community members,” Emami wrote in an email.

About 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, an officer stopped a man in the flood channel, police said. The man had a can of spray paint, and newly painted graffiti matched the color of the paint in the can, police said.

Police suspect that the man, identified as 19-year-old Mason Kennedy Modde, is responsible for several graffiti cases at the park.

Modde was arrested on suspicion of vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.

Police said Modde moved to Irvine around the time the graffiti started appearing.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck