BUFFALO NEWS

 

1 arrest made, another expected, in graffiti vandalism

By DEIDRE WILLIAMS
News Northtowns Bureau
8/1/2002


One arrest has been made and another is pending in the case of vandals who spray-painted graffiti on several properties on Grand Island, including Town Hall.

Detectives with the Erie County Sheriff's Department said that they apprehended one juvenile over the weekend and that they expect to arrest another juvenile soon.

"There's so little information we're willing to give out now, but there definitely will be at least two arrests made," said Capt. Charles Hedges, who declined to give the age and sex of the person arrested or specify the charges, which will be heard in Family Court.

Police have asked Supervisor Peter McMahon to provide an itemized list of expenses associated with cleanup. Officials used a high-powered chemical agent to break down the paint, making it easier to wash away.

"Our total cost was $598," McMahon said. "We've asked for full restitution for labor, materials and the American flag that was stolen from the flagpole."

Five private and town-owned properties were targeted earlier this month in the overnight vandalism. The culprits left swastikas, anti-Christian rantings, satanic messages and sexually explicit words.

At Town Hall, vandals painted the word "poopy," a star, flames and "666" on the sidewalk, McMahon said.

A few hundred feet away, the damage to the HSBC Bank branch at 2300 Grand Island Blvd. included paintings of marijuana plants on the sidewalk as well as paint damage to the bank's drive-in sign, according to police.

Next door at Auto Fix, 2320 Grand Island Blvd., vandals struck a week after the owners had just finished painting that part of the building. Designs were spray-painted on three cars.

A few miles away,  at St. Timothy Church at 1453 Staley Road, vandals painted sexually graphic, anti-religious references to Jesus and God.

And in an office building at 1601 Stony Point Road, near the church, vandals scrawled swastikas, "KKK" and anti-Semitic references on drywall. Because the building is under construction, the vandals were able to enter through an open window.

Town police have increased the number of patrols until further notice.

"There's enhanced enforcement under way," McMahon said. "We're using Grand Island police to augment regular patrols by the Sheriff's Department and State Police."