For Immediate Release

Friday, May 27, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Gloucester Police Arrest Rockport Man Suspected of Tagging Dozens of Buildings with Graffiti

GLOUCESTER — Chief Leonard Campanello reports that the Gloucester Police Department has arrested and charged a man who allegedly tagged a building with spray paint. An investigation indicates that the man may be responsible for more than four dozen incidents of graffiti on buildings all around Gloucester.

TIAGO F. SERPA, AGE 21, OF ROCKPORT was charged with two counts of Tagging Property and Malicious Destruction of Property over $250. 

On Wednesday, at 1 p.m., Gloucester Police responded to a report of a young man spray painting on a playground at Fort Square. Officers found SERPA in the area next to freshly sprayed paint, and he matched the description of the suspect. Officers found five cans of spray paint in a bag he was carrying. The cans matched the colors of the fresh graffiti, which read “SHMOH” in large bubble letters.

Police seized the spray paint, his bag, and SERPA’s camera, which contained pictures of various graffiti works.

“Tagging and graffiti costs people money when they have to remove the unwanted permanent mark, and it speaks to disrespect of another’s property which is not how we work in Gloucester,” Chief Campanello said. “I commend our officers for their fine work in identifying this individual who allegedly perpetrated so many acts like this. This is a quality of life issue that demands action.”

SERPA was sent to Gloucester District Court for arraignment. Additional charges may be added.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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