SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday, October 17, the San Francisco Police Department reported officers arrested three separate active vandalism suspects for tagging businesses, residences, parks, and city property throughout the city, Chief Bill Scott announced Wednesday.
According to a news release from the SFPD, the arrests occurred between October 10 and October 12, when officers caught the suspects vandalizing property with spray paint and permanent markers.
“I want to thank our officers for catching these prolific vandals and assisting in holding them accountable for their actions,” said Chief Bill Scott. “There’s no excuse for destroying another person’s property and causing blight to our communities. Hopefully, these grown adults committing these crimes will one day learn to use their creativity in positive and productive ways.”
On October 10, officers from Mission Station were patrolling the 3300 block of 24th Street when they spotted a male suspect actively defacing a large display window of a business. Officers detained the adult male and discovered the suspect vandalized the property with a permanent marker. Officers developed probable cause to arrest Anders McLeland, 34, from San Francisco.
Mcleland is suspected of using the graffiti tag “ASPECT.”
On October 11, officers from Ingleside Station responded to the area of San Jose and St. Mary’s Avenue in regard to a trespasser vandalizing Muni property. Officers arrived on scene and were advised that an unknown suspect was spotted beginning to tag the area and was struck by a MUNI LRV after several alerts were given to notify the individual to move.
Officers located the individual in the region and detained the suspect. Officers discovered and seized paint cans at the scene. The adult male suspect was medically evaluated at a local hospital. Officers developed probable cause to arrest Matthew Schular, 49, from San Francisco. He is a prolific tagger suspected of using the graffiti name “URBAN.”
On October 12, officers from Southern Station were patrolling the 500 block of 10th Street when an officer observed a suspect actively “tagging” property in the area. Officers detained the adult male suspect and seized spray paint cans as evidence. Officers developed probable cause to arrest Joel James, 37, from San Francisco. He is a prolific tagger and is suspected of using the graffiti name “ECKS.”
Mcleland, Schular, and James were arrested for misdemeanor vandalism. Schuler and James were charged with the possession of graffiti tools.
The SFPD is still investigating all three incidents. Anyone with details is asked to contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.
Anyone who is the victim of graffiti crime or have information on graffiti investigations should contact the SFPD Non-emergency line at 3-1-1 or contact the SFPD Graffiti Abatement Unit at sfpdgraffitiabatement@sfgov.org.
