According to a police source, “Sum Z” may be at it again.
The graffitist, whose real name is John Colasanti, 35, of Ozone Park, was arrested on 88th Street and 103rd Avenue in the early morning hours of Friday, August 29 of last year, after he and his female accomplice, Zolina Lindo, 22, were caught red-handed making graffiti on the outside of an 18-wheel tractor-trailer.
They pair was charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti and possession of graffiti instruments.
A spokesperson at the Department of Corrections told The Courier that Colasanti was jailed on April 5 of this year. He was released on April 23, after 18 days served. The spokesperson also said that Colasanti served 30 days for criminal trespassing, and was given bail exoneration.
Lindo was incarcerated on April 10 and discharged on June 17.
Now, according to the police source, Colasanti’s “tags” – faces, photos and “Sum Z,” all done with stencil – seem to be reappearing.
“Everywhere you go, you see that guy’s name,” said Paul Kahl of Ozone Park.
Linda DeCaterina, who has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years, did not even notice the vandalism on her fence until pointed out by a Courier reporter on Monday, July 13.
“I never noticed this before,” she said. “I check the front part of my fence and not always the back.”
Many residents feel although the NYPD’s policy is that “graffiti vandalism is a crime punishable by a jail term, monetary fine and/or community service. Any person caught defacing property without the express permission of the owner will be arrested,” Colasanti should have faced harsher punishment.
“He should have been locked up for longer,” said Ron Thomas.
Kahl agrees.
“They should make him repaint the whole neighborhood,” he said.
– With additional reporting by Nick Costales and Keldy Ortiz
