South Bay Tagger Chased Down, Arrested After Marking Several Businesses

SOUTH BAY, CA -- An alleged graffiti vandal was arrested by police in Gilroy during the early morning hours after he was nabbed with ink all over his hands.

Just after 1 am on February 16, the Gilroy Police Department received a call from a witness who saw a man vandalizing several downtown businesses with a permanent marker.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Nathaniel Luna, 19, at Monterey and Sixth Street. Police say Luna ran from officers, but was caught after a short foot chase and was arrested after physically resisting the officers.

He was found in possession of the same type of markers used to vandalize the businesses and his hands were covered in ink, police say.

In all, officers identified 10 downtown businesses that were vandalized with either “NECK MF” of “MF NECK” written in permanent marker. Luna, seen in the above mugshot, was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for several charges, including felony vandalism.

Anyone who observes graffiti “taggers” in Gilroy can call the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350, and locations of unsightly graffiti can be phoned in to the Gilroy Police Graffiti Hotline at (408) 846-0395.

Image via Gilroy Police