CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has arrested four juveniles following a month-long vandalism spree that damaged homes, businesses, and vehicles throughout the Citrus Hills and Inverness areas.
According to investigators, residents and business owners reported numerous incidents involving spray-painted symbols, phrases, and imagery associated with gang-related and extremist themes.
The investigation was led by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division with assistance from patrol deputies, the Intelligence Analysis Unit, and support personnel.
Detectives conducted surveillance operations over several weeks before the investigation took a significant turn when a local business owner discovered fresh graffiti and reviewed surveillance footage showing one of the suspects near the scene. Investigators were then able to connect that incident, along with several others, to four juveniles.
Authorities said the crimes were committed to benefit or promote a criminal gang identified by investigators as “SSK X NAZI.” As a result, prosecutors are seeking criminal gang sentence enhancements under Florida law.
The following arrests were announced:
Austin Quinn, 17, of Inverness
- Criminal Mischief ($200 or less)
- Two counts of Criminal Mischief (more than $200 but less than $1,000)
- Three counts of Criminal Mischief ($1,000 or more)
- Two counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure
Chase Courtois, 16, of Hernando
- Two counts of Criminal Mischief ($200 or less)
- One count of Criminal Mischief (more than $200 but less than $1,000)
- Four counts of Criminal Mischief ($1,000 or more)
- One count of Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure
Zane Proffer, 14, of Hernando
- One count of Criminal Mischief ($200 or less)
- Two counts of Criminal Mischief (more than $200 but less than $1,000)
- Four counts of Criminal Mischief ($1,000 or more)
- Two counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Structure
A fourth juvenile was arrested on one count of Criminal Mischief involving damages of $200 or less. The individual’s identity has not been released because it is protected under Florida public records law.
Sheriff David Vincent praised the work of investigators and the community’s assistance.
“Behavior that promotes violence, hatred, or intolerance will always be met with firm and swift action here,” Vincent said. “Our detectives put in long hours on this case, and thanks to their hard work and the cooperation of local residents and business owners, we were able to identify the suspects and hold them accountable.”
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and is reviewing whether the suspects may be connected to additional vandalism incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (352) 249-2790 and request to speak with a member of the Property Crimes Unit.