Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Private Jets Tagged With Graffiti At Van Nuys Airport
Three separate multi-million-dollar corporate jets were tagged with graffiti at the Van Nuys Airport, and it's going to cost a pretty penny to clean them up.
According to NBC News, authorities believe the suspect, or suspects, entered the airport late Sunday or early Monday morning and cut a hole in the perimeter fence. The jets were tagged with the letters "URA" and the numbers "872" on their fuselages, tail wings and wheel flaps. Smaller tags sprayed in blue and black also included "URAF," "MarkB" and "GLOK$." The jets, which were kept in what airport police thought was a secure hangar, belonged to Fair Wind Air Charter, Private Air Inc. and Aerojet Services LLC.
"It is embarrassing," Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon told the L.A. Times "It is not something we want to be happening at our airports."
Gannon said the area is known for playing host to a prominent tagging culture (particularly near the airport), and that the Van Nuys Airport police are working with LAPD graffiti experts to track down the culprits.
While Gannon estimated it will cost a few thousand dollars to clean up two of the jets, NBC reported that one of the jets could cost more than a million dollars to fix.
This is the second time in two years that private jets at the Van Nuys airport have been vandalized by graffiti. In July 2013, a $2.3-million Learjet sustained $100,000 in damage when it was spray-painted with the word "flame" and "R.I.P."
Do you think it was a Banksy?
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
