2 arrested for vandalizing soccer fields at Visalia sports complex, police say

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Muddy tire tracks covered soccer field number 6 at the Riverway Sports Park in Visalia after two men in a truck were caught doing donuts just before 1 am on Tuesday.

Officers were called out to the park by a witness. They made a traffic stop and arrested 18-year-old Marcos Fernandez Martinez and 19-year-old Pedro Huerta.

Police found evidence on the truck and - through interviews - discovered the two men allegedly planned the vandalism.

"It's an unfortunate mischief. Someone might think it's funny, but it's costly," says Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar.

The two suspects were booked at the Tulare County Pre-trial facility on felony vandalism and conspiracy charges.

Chief Jason Salazar says it was thanks to the quick actions of a witness that they were able to make an arrest.

"Whether it's this crime or something else, it's important when you see something, take the time to report it and hopefully give us the opportunity to go out there and solve a crime," says Chief Salazar.

The city of Visalia says 60 percent of soccer field number 6 is damaged, along with some sprinklers.

The estimated cost of repairs is up to $1,500. That work is already underway.

"When the park crew got into the office at 6:30, we sent quite a few folks out there to start repairing the field. They applied triple mix to the rutted-up areas, compact to the soil, and then added some water," says Jason Glick, Director of Visalia Parks and Recreation.

The damage goes beyond a dollar amount for local parent and school principal Cristin Corliss, "It's just disheartening. Our community waited many years for a facility like this for local athletes to play at and celebrate."

Cristin's message to anyone thinking of committing similar crimes is, "Think about others and think about the children in the community and how your one decision impacts more people than just yourself."

Games for this evening will be moved to another field.

This soccer field should be ready to use by Wednesday evening. However, the grass will take months to grow back.

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