Three

Fayette County youths are in custody in connection with

several acts of vandalism throughout the area.

Two of the

defendants were apprehended in the early morning hours of

May 25, when deputies spotted them spraying graffiti on

the back wall of the J&R Plaza on Ga. Highway 85 near

the Clayton County line, police said. The suspects ran

when spotted, and all but one were caught at that time,

according to police.

Justin

Merrell, 17, of Fayetteville was arrested at the scene,

as was Nicholas D. Marrs, 18, of Tyrone. Deputies later

identified Steven Daniel Kubon, 17, of Peachtree City, as

the one who fled and took him into custody as well.

All three

are charged with criminal damage in the second degree,

obstruction and three misdemeanor counts of criminal

trespass. The criminal damage charge is a felony when

more than $500 in damage is done.

The three

face up to five years in prison on that count and 12

months on each of the others, as well as paying

restitution.

It was

determined by investigators that these suspects were

responsible for at least two other graffiti incidents

- at Guthrie Plaza on Ga. Highway 54 near Peachtree

City April 25, and at North Fayette Elementary School on

Kenwood Road May 20.

According

to the Peachtree City Police Department, the three also

will be charged concerning similar acts in the city, but

the investigation is still underway and the exact charges

have not yet been determined.

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