Arnold Police Catches Person Responsible for Graffiti Vandalism

One June 7, police arrested an 18-year-old responsible for an ongoing graffiti vandalism throughout the city. Arnold Police Lt. Robert Ruckman said the 18-year-old man painted graffiti on different places throughout the city, including on city property, since last year.

Ruckman said the teenager was charged with ten counts of property damages after he confessed to the crimes. The man was released after a court summons was issued. Ruckman said the charges were all misdemeanors so the teenager will probably only face a fine.

Ruckman asked Arnold residents to immediately inform police if an act of vandalism occurs.

“A lot of times, if it (vandalism) does happen, we are not notified immediately,” Rockman said. “Some cases are not reported until the second or third week after they occur, which makes it much harder for us.”

Ward 1 Councilmember Doris Borgelt said she received several calls about the graffiti on different properties so she drove around town taking photos and documenting the vandalism. 

She said she hopes the graffiti will now stop. 

"I think that you have to nip this kind of thing in the bud," Borgelt said. "It is costly to the property owners, degrades the area and is destruction of private property and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."