Police - News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2007

CONTACT: Sgt. Jim Toomey
Public Information Officer
(602) 590-5733

Glendale Police Nab Number 1 Graffiti Suspect

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Officers from a Glendale Police Neighborhood Response Squad located and arrested their “most wanted” graffiti vandal yesterday. They arrested him for drug possession charges, but plan to submit 14 cases of Criminal Damage against him for the graffiti incidents.

For several weeks, Officers Randy Stewart and William Keeble have trying to identify a graffiti vandal who uses the tagging name “Scar.” He was the foremost subject depicted on the department’s Graffiti Busters website (www.glendaleaz.com/police/GraffitiBustersMostWanted.cfm). “Scar” is responsible for at least 14 cases of vandalism causing thousands of dollars of damage to block walls, poles, signs and other property throughout north Glendale.

Officer Keeble recently got information that “Scar” is actually Henry Almeter (w/m 2/9/88), a 19 year-old Glendale resident. On December 12th, Officer Keeble went to Almeter’s house in the 7300 block of W. Villa Hermosa Avenue to serve a search warrant. He found Almeter leaving the house and detained him. Almeter was found to be in possession of both marijuana and cocaine and was arrested for those crimes. Officer Keeble then served the search warrant and located numerous items of evidence which link Almeter to graffiti vandalism, along with more illegal drugs. Officer Keeble is submitting 14 different cases of Criminal Damage against Almeter to prosecutors, asking that criminal charges be filed. Almeter will also have to answer for the drugs found on his person and in his residence.

Anyone with information about a graffiti vandal can call the TAG (Together Against Graffiti) Hotline at 602-262-7327. Tips leading to an arrest can qualify for rewards of up to $250.00.