Three teens captured on surveillance spray painting a downtown Detroit building owned by billionaire Dan Gilbert have been identified and could turn themselves in as early as today, police said.
The suspects are from Grosse Pointe, and two are 17 years old and one is 18 years old.
Cameras captured the teens painting on the side of the 1001 Woodward building, and owner Dan Gilbert sent out an urgent message trying to track down the “fancy ladies” and “clowns.” We published photos of the vandals, leading to numerous tips revealing the names of the teens.
Update: Police announce new crackdown on graffiti
The teens, whose full identities will be published after they are charged, were spotted spray painting “Izzy,” “bitch,” “fuck,” and “Welcome to Detroit” on the alley side of the building.
They have disabled their social media accounts.
The proliferation of graffiti has prompted police to step up enforcement as a growing number of suburban vandals are painting on occupied buildings, churches, billboards, road signs, light poles, houses and cars.
Exclusive: Meet some of Detroit’s most destructive graffiti vandals
In a letter to employees, security and police, Gilbert said he was tired of the graffiti.
“Unfortunately, once in a great while, degenerates who don’t ‘get it’ crawl out of their deep dark holes and try to ruin it for the rest of us who take pride in and deeply care about our city,” Gilbert wrote.
Related stories:
Detroit police not ‘trained’ to ticket graffiti vandals
Detroit mulls graffiti task force as vandalism gets out of control
No shame! Graffiti vandals hit historic churches in Detroit at disturbing rate
DNR ranger under investigation for vandalizing Detroit with graffiti
3 Grosse Pointe teens busted for spray painting downtown Detroit building added by Steve Neavling on
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Steve Neavling
Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.
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