Wenatchee man arrested for graffiti and drug possession

WENATCHEE - On May 6, at approximately 1:15 a.m., the Wenatchee Police Department responded to a report of graffiti in progress on Cashmere Street. A vigilant resident, awakened by their barking dog, witnessed an individual spray-painting a fence across the street and promptly notified the authorities.

Officers arrived at the scene and, using the reporting party's detailed description and surveillance footage, located the suspect in the nearby vicinity. The individual, identified as 28-year-old Dagen J. Mathews of Wenatchee, was found to be responsible for numerous instances of gang-related graffiti within the area bounded by Methow, Lewis, Mission, and Ferry Streets.

After being read his Miranda rights, Mathews confessed to the vandalism and directed officers to the discarded spray paint can. Upon searching Mathews, officers discovered a small amount of a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Mathews was subsequently booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on charges of Malicious Mischief in the 3rd Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).