An 18-year-old man who police say lives part-time in Hailey and part-time in California has been charged with a felony for alleged involvement in a graffiti spree in Hailey earlier this year.
Kaleb Andrew Shurtz was arraigned Monday in Blaine County 5th District Court on a charge of aiding and abetting malicious injury to property. He pleaded not guilty. Judge Robert J. Elgee scheduled a jury trial to begin on July 24. The Roark Law Firm has been appointed public defender.
Shurtz was arrested following a Hailey police investigation of apparent gang-related graffiti sprayed in yellow paint on a garage door, a vehicle and a Keefer Park city sign on Moonlight Drive in Hailey the morning of Feb. 12. According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Hailey police Lt. Steve England, total damages were estimated at almost $1,600.
England wrote that the letters "PMV 13" and "SUR 13" were painted in yellow on the garage door or the vehicle. He further wrote that "SUR 13 stands for Surenos," a gang "whose main stronghold is in southern California."
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England stated in his report that "PMV" in association with SUR-13 identifies where a gang member lives and that PMV is used by members in the southern California cities of Perris and Pomeroy.
He further wrote that Shurtz has lived in Perris but spends part of his time at his mother's home in Hailey. Also, England wrote that Shurtz is a "known gang member."
England's report indicates that a 17-year-old Hailey boy may have also been involved in the graffiti spree. However, court records show that the youth has not been charged.
According to court records, Shurtz was released from the Blaine County jail on March 27 after posting $2,000 bond. Records further state that he was arrested again on April 2 on a misdemeanor battery charge. Bond in that case was set at $5,000. Shurtz remained incarcerated Thursday.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Kaleb Andrew Shurtz
