Graffiti Vandals Caused $500K Worth Of Damage In Morris Co., Cops Say

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ —Nearly two dozen suspects are accused of causing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage through graffiti vandalism, according to the Hanover Township Police Department.

Twenty-one suspects have been arrested following an investigation into graffiti vandalism that has left its mark across Hanover Township. According to officials, more than $500,000 worth of graffiti damage has been done to local businesses, buildings, public property, railroad property, bridges, and other locations.

The suspects’ ages range from juvenile to 30 years old. Two of the charged juveniles are accused of causing more than half of the damage.

Most of the suspects have “tags,” essentially signatures of an alias that is often accompanied by graffiti art.

Below is a list of the suspects, their charges, the estimated damage they’re accused of causing, with a corresponding photo of their “tags,” provided by Hanover police:

1 and 2: “GMAIL”, “GMAIL8”, “SCATE”, and “SCATE5” - Two juveniles. Charges: five counts of criminal mischief (each), five counts of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief (each), two counts of trespassing (each), one count of promotion of organized street crime (each). Damage estimate: $300,000

3: “CHEAK” - Peter Runge, 28, of Sarasota, Florida. Charges: criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $2,000

4: “TEDY” - Juvenile. Charges: two counts of criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $1,000

5: “BILLY THE KID” - Dennis Melendez, 21, of Morristown. Charges: criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $700

6 and 7: “BANDIT” and “WANKY” - Two juveniles. Charges: criminal mischief and trespassing. Damage estimate: $98,000

8: “SLAYR” - Juvenile. Charges: criminal mischief. Damage estimate: less than $100

9: “GAZZY” - Danny Mazariegos, 18, of Morristown. Charges: two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, and trespassing. Damage estimate: $5,000

10: “STIZZY” - Juvenile. Charges: criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $2,700

11: “SCRAT” – Juvenile. Charges: criminal mischief, conspiracy, and trespassing. Damage estimate: $5,500

12: “SUCA” – Juvenile. Charges: criminal mischief and trespassing. Damage estimate: $6,000

13: “DOVE” and “DOVE6” - Christopher Escobar, 25, of Montclair. Charges: three counts of criminal mischief, three counts of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, and two counts of trespassing. Damage estimate: $54,000

14: “INKI” – Alexa Lipke, 30, of Somerville. Charges: criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $1,000

15: “MOLLY STARK” – Juvenile. Charges: criminal mischief and trespassing. Damage estimate: $300

16 and 19: “ZEX” and “ZENOTT” – Omar Carrillo, 22, of Morristown. Charges: criminal mischief and trespassing. Damage estimate: $600

17: “EVOL” – Marco Dapaz, 33, of Elizabeth. Charges: criminal mischief and conspiracy. Damage estimate: $5,400

18: “SUCIO” – Kenneth Tharaldsen Jr., 33, of Deptford. Charges: criminal mischief and conspiracy. Damage estimate: $5,400

Graffiti not pictured:

• Miscellaneous graffiti - Jefferson Sanchez-Rodriguez, 19, of Morristown. Charges: criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $800
• Miscellaneous graffiti - Anderson Hernandez-Lemuz, 21, of Morristown. Charges: criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $800
• Miscellaneous graffiti - Jose Flores-Coto, 21, of Morristown. Charges: criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief. Damage estimate: $800

Authorities ask that any Hanover resident or business owner report graffiti vandalism to police at 973-428-2512.