Citizen supplied image of Sherman Way tunnel graffiti

Three arrested on vandalism charges in Sherman Way Tunnel as city security and funding plan remains stalled

SoCalNewswire - February 9, 2026

Posted 5:55 PM

 

Van Nuys, CA — Three suspects were taken into custody early this morning and booked on vandalism charges after police observed suspicious activity inside the Sherman Way Tunnel, a location long plagued by graffiti and safety concerns and the subject of a pending Los Angeles City Council directive.

 

“At 3:56 a.m., LAPD officers took three suspects into custody and booked them on vandalism charges,” Los Angeles Police Department Public Information Officer Jeffery Lee confirmed.

 

A law enforcement source with the Los Angeles Airport Police (LAXPD) said the arrests followed an “observation arrest” after officers became suspicious of a Mercedes parked in the tunnel turnout. The Sherman Way Tunnel runs beneath Van Nuys Airport at Sherman Way and Hayvenhurst Avenue.

 

The arrests come amid mounting public pressure for improved security at the tunnel. In May 2024, the Los Angeles City Council adopted a motion (Council File No. 24-0356) directing multiple city departments to develop a comprehensive plan for maintenance, security, and beautification of the site, citing chronic vandalism and public safety concerns.

 

Community advocates said the arrests underscore both the urgency of security upgrades and the prolonged delays in implementing them.

Suzanne Gutierrez, co-founder of Fumefighters United VNY and a local resident, said Los Angeles Airport Police Lt. Beacom informed residents that new surveillance cameras are expected to be installed inside the tunnel within the next three to four weeks.

 

“We’ve been waiting for cameras for a long time, so it’s encouraging that the LAPD nailed perpetrators this morning, catching them in the act. This activity is harming our community,” Gutierrez said