Bust Tagger Who Messed Up Businesses
Smearing tags onto businesses in Ridgewood proved costly for a 32-year-old alleged graffiti vandal busted by the 104th Precinct last Friday, Jan. 27, following a thorough investigation, law enforcement sources said.
Police identified the suspect as 32- year-old Pete Rodriguez of Hart Street in Ridgewood, who was cuffed by P.O. Justin Dambinskas, graffiti coordinator for the 104th Precinct.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, Rodriguez allegedly sprayed his four-letter tag onto six different locations in the industrial area of Ridgewood near the Brooklyn/ Queens border between last June and October.
The identity of the tag is being withheld by the Times Newsweekly.
Reportedly, the tag was first spotted by police in May 2011 scrawled in yellow spray paint on a window gate of an abandoned building located at 63 Woodward Ave. near Metropolitan Avenue.
During a survey of the Ridgewood area conducted on Jan. 19, law enforcement sources said, police found the same tag written in multiple colors on five other businesses nearby.
According to the criminal complaint, Rodriguez’s tag was found written in white paint onto two window gates of an metal gate factory at 1852 Flushing Ave. and on the wall of a warehouse at 1819 FlushingAve.
The same graffiti was reportedly found written in purple spray paint on a wall of the Amboy Bus Company located at 46-81 Metropolitan Ave. and on the bottom of a wall at Metro Auto Salvage, located at 46-00 Metropolitan Ave.
Finally, according to police, the tag was spotted scrawled in silver spay paint on the side of the American Conveyor Corporation located at 1819 Flushing Ave.
During questioning by police, Rodriguez alleged admitted to creating the tag and writing it on each location. He was subsequently charged with seven counts of making graffiti and seven counts of criminal mischief.
According to court records, the suspect was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Saturday, Jan. 28, before Judge Joseph Zayas, who released him on his own recognizance. Rodriguez is scheduled to return to court tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 3.
Police remind the public that graffiti is a crime punishable by jail time, community service and/or fines. Anyone who sees it on public or private property is advised to report it to 311; anyone who sees an individual making graffiti should call 911 immediately.
The NYPD offers a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a graffiti vandal.
