23 juveniles trash veteran’s home near Graham, causing $50K in damage 2 weeks before closing

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is investigating a large vandalism case after more than twenty juveniles broke into and trashed a veteran’s home in the Graham-Kapowsin area, just weeks before it was scheduled to close.

PCSO Public Information Officer Carly Cappetto said deputies with the Mountain Detachment were called around 9:15 p.m. on July 18 to a vacant home listed for sale. When they arrived, they found a full-blown party in progress and detained 23 juveniles outside the residence.

Inside, deputies discovered extensive damage.

“Every wall inside the home had been tagged and spray painted, including pantries and utilities,” Cappetto said. “The exterior walls on all sides of the house were covered in graffiti, the back deck was spray painted, windows were shattered, and holes had been punched through the walls. Very upsetting and disturbing.”

The home belongs to a military veteran who was in the final stages of selling the property. Investigators said the family believed they were about two weeks away from closing, turning what should have been a hopeful transition into a financially and emotionally devastating loss.

The family is currently estimating more than $50,000 in damage, which elevates the case to potential felony-level charges.

Juveniles vandalized a home near Graham. (Photo courtesy of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office)

Juveniles accused of damaging home near Graham will face charges

All 23 juveniles, believed to be between 13 and 21 years old, were identified in police reports and released to their parents. The sheriff’s office said they will be facing charges that include residential burglary and malicious mischief, with investigators working to determine which suspects are responsible for which specific damage.

Cappetto noted that the juvenile detention facility, Raymond Hall, typically would not book on this type of charge for such a large group, but she stressed that deputies and the victim’s family are hoping the juvenile justice system takes the case seriously.

This was not the first time the same home has been targeted, although detectives are still working to determine whether the same group of juveniles was involved in any prior vandalism.

Cappetto said the damage seen on deputies’ body camera video would shock any homeowner or renter who understands the cost and effort it takes to maintain a property.

“It definitely would upset any homeowner if that was done,” Cappetto said. “The lack of regard for the property was pretty heart-wrenching.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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