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Man, 18, Pleads Not Guilty To Spray Painting Hate Messages In Burbank

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — An 18-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he spray painted hate messages in Burbank, according to court officials.

Drew Benda, of Burbank, was taken into custody Monday at Wilbur Avenue and Bel Aire Drive for felony vandalism and hate crimes.

Burbank police Sgt. Claudio Losacco told City News Service the teenager was seen with evidence connecting him to Swastikas and racial slurs spray painted in a three to four-block area hours before his arrest.

Investigators say more than a dozen vehicles, garage doors, fences and other items were spray painted near John Muir Middle School.

Benda faces 10 felony vandalism charges.

Authorities said he is being held on $50,000 bail.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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Man, 18, Arrested For Allegedly Spray Painting Hate Messages In Burbank

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