Police at the 111th Precinct have arrested a graffiti vandal who they believe is responsible for covering northeastern Queens with his tag - ZEN. At about 2 a.m. on Monday, May 28, an officer on regular patrol caught 19-year-old Stephen Stavredes in the act.
According to police, Stavredes, who lives near 33rd Avenue and 172nd Street in Whitestone, had almost completed a large tag with black and silver paint on a storefront at 211th Street and Horace Harding Expressway in Oakland Gardens. He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti, and possession of graffiti instruments - two cans of spray paint.
Police said that there are “numerous” complaints currently open on the ZEN tag, and that they believe more may yet be reported.
“There is ZEN all over northeastern Queens,” said 111th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Bill Conway.