PROVO, Utah — A Provo man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief and shoplifting after admitting to dumping red paint on the 'Y' on the mountainside east of Provo.
Police responded to the area known as "Y Mountain" on Sunday, June 21.
They discovered a large swath of red paint covering about 25 feet of the upper right hand corner of the Y.
The BYU Paint Shop was asked to clean up the paint and estimated it would cost at least $2000 to make the repairs.
Investigators found four empty containers of paint and traced it back to the Orem Walmart on Sandhill Road.
The store checked cameras and records which indicated a male had selected two spray paint cans and four one gallon paint cans.
However, the man paid for two of the gallon cans and left the store with four.
Surveillance pictures show the man leaving in a blue Mazda Miata.
Detectives reviewed cameras at the Y trailhead and found the Mazda Miata had been there just after midnight on June 21.
Two suspects carrying large backpacks proceeded to the trailhead.
Detectives identified the male driving the Mazda and making the purchase at Walmart as Jackson Gledhill, age 19, with an address in Provo.
They responded to the home and spoke with Gledhill who admitted to being "up at the Y" around midnight.
His parents came outside and asked what was going on and Gledhill replied, "I vandalized the Y last night."
Gledhill refused to give the name of the other person with him, saying it was all his idea and he would take full responsibility.
He was transported to the Utah County Jail where he was booked on suspicion of criminal mischief and retail theft.
