PHOENIX — A 20-year-old graffiti artist was arrested after causing around $38,000 in property damage over a two-year period, the Phoenix Police Department said.
The suspect, identified as Toby Manuelito, is allegedly responsible for over 314 graffiti incidents, the department said.
Investigators developed probable cause to arrest Manuelito through "multiple investigative efforts and surveillance," officers said. Police also obtained hundreds of pen, markers and spray paint cans in his possession.
Manuelito used the tag "MEYOE" in several Valley neighborhoods and the downtown Phoenix area, police said. Many of the tags have been cleaned by Phoenix's Neighborhood Services Department since 2020.
The department's "Graffiti Busters" clean up around 200 graffiti sites every day. Workers on the team spend seven days a week removing reported tags on people's property.
There are multiple ways residents can report graffiti in their area to be taken down, including:
- App: myPHX311 (use the TELL THE CITY ABOUT tab)
- Call: 602-534-4444
- Email: blight@phoenix.gov
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Artista de graffiti arrestado después de 2 años de incidentes, que costaron más de $38,000 en daños
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