A teenager believed to be behind more than 50 graffiti incidents in Burke was caught this week by Fairfax County police.
Responding to the 9500 block of Burke Road for multiple reports of vandalized property around 11:20 p.m. last night (Thursday), officers located a 16-year-old suspect who was covered in spray paint, police said.
“A male suspect was seen spray painting a loading dock at a nearby business,” the FCPD said. “Officers located the teen and quickly determined he was responsible, due to the presence of spray paint on his hands and clothes.”
Similar incidents involving “hate-based graffiti” were reported Wednesday morning (March 12), when police were dispatched to the 6000 block of Burke Center Parkway.
According to NBC4, the graffiti spotted on Wednesday included racist and antisemitic messages, and one of the targeted sites was a bus stop, where the vandalism was discovered by kids.
The teen was found to be possessing spray paint cans and other items “suspected to be used to destroy property,” according to the FCPD. Body camera footage released showed one officer retrieving a hammer from what appears to be the suspect’s backpack.
As a juvenile, the boy was released to a family member. Police said they plan to pursue multiple criminal charges for destruction of property, stating that “several” local businesses and personal property were affected.
