Joshua Tree National Park rangers, operating on a tip from park visitors, apprehended and cited four men for vandalism and possession of a controlled substance. About 2:30 p.m. April 15, climbers in the Oyster Bar area of the park called park officials to report they smelled and saw fresh paint in the area; they also copied the license plate numbers of the only two other vehicles in the parking lot. When a ranger arrived, both cars were still at the site. The ranger located a group of nine men in their mid-twenties; after questioning them and finding a can of spray paint, two of the men admitted to spray painting in the area. A further search found additional cans of spray paint and marijuana. Four men–who were not identified by the Park Service–were issued citations to appear in U.S. Federal Magistrate Court. There was not enough evidence to cite the other five men in the group and they were released. Park Superintendent David Smith applauded the actions of the reporting visitors and encourages anyone who observes illegal behavior in the park to immediately alert park staff.
