A prolific Parksville painter was placed under arrest Wednesday after leaving his grafitti tag on property throughout the Parksville Qualicum Beach region, Oceanside RCMP announced.
Police have recommended “dozens of counts” of mischief under $5,000 against the 23-year-old Parksville man, who had previously been arrested a month earlier but who continued to deface property while released under conditions.
The “prolific” tagger was originally arrested in Parksville on March 12 after being caught in the act by an undercover police officer. The man was responsible for hundreds of acts of mischief, by using spray paint and markers to post his tag, “RONES” on private property throughout the greater Parksville Qualicum Beach area.
“This mischief has defaced our beautiful community and caused thousands (of dollars) in damages,” said Jesse Foreman, RCMP spokesperson.
The suspect was released on a promise to appear at a later date and was placed under conditions, but the arrest was apparently not enough to curb the actions of the suspect. Dozens of further calls were received by the Oceanside RCMP, reporting the same tag being discovered, post-arrest.
On Wednsday, April 11, the suspect was again arrested by the Oceanside RCMP after being caught on video surveillance, while tagging a French Creek church. He was held in custody and was scheduled to appear in Nanaimo Provincial Court Thursday, April 12.
— NEWS staff and RCMP news release