Graffiti investigation in downtown St. Catharines leads to arrest
Published September 12, 2024 at 6:15 pm
A 40-year-old man has been charged in connection with an investigation into graffiti tags appearing in downtown St. Catharines.
Since April of this year, Niagara Regional Police have been looking into the appearance of numerous similar graffiti tags in the core of downtown.
Tags are explicitly writing the artist’s signature (or their pseudonym name or logo) on a public surface.
“Members of the CORE Unit identified over 30 locations with similarly styled ‘tags,’” said Niagara police. “ The ‘tags’ have been located on commercial property, private property, City of St. Catharines property, and Niagara Region property.”
Police believe the “offences” occurred between October, 2022 and May of 2024.
Last Saturday (Sept. 7), Anthony Johnson, 40, of St. Catharines was charged with:
- Mischief Over $5000 (Global Count)
- Mischief Under $5000 (2 Counts)
- Failing to Comply with Release Order
A global count is a judicial process that allows for the courts to administratively include multiple offences during a specific time period under one count.
“While it is one count, the courts recognize the increased severity during the judicial process,” said Niagara police.
Police believe there could be further unreported damage. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the police at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension #1009659.
To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online at 1-800-222-8477 or visit online at www.crimestoppersniagara.ca.
