Vandals cited for Paint Creek Trail damage

Orion Township — For the second time this month, a group of teenagers has vandalized a section of a popular hiking and biking trail with spray paint.

Four women and a man, ages 17 and 18, were taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and are expected to face malicious destruction of property charges in the Paint Creek Trail incident near East Clarkston and Kern roads, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

A witness saw the five suspects enter the trail with spray paint cans, and freshly painted large rocks and trees were found in the area. Deputies tracked down all five on the trail, issued them misdemeanor citations for malicious destruction of property and vandalism and escorted them off the trail.

The suspects — all Independence Township residents — admitted they had spray painted the rocks and trees, deputies said. Motive for the vandalism was not known.

All were released from custody pending an appearance in Rochester Hills 52-3rd District Court within 15 days.

mmartindale@detroitnews.com

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