Police make two arrests in connection to major graffiti series

Two male suspects are facing multiple mischief charges in relation to a graffiti series that saw some historic buildings across the city desecrated with spray paint.

Police believe the two 22-year-old males played a significant role in multiple incidents across the city, including many in the Old Strathcona area alone, says EPS Whyte Avenue Beats Sgt. Michael Keef.

“We believe these two individuals have caused a lot of damage across the city, and shown disrespect to some of Edmonton’s most historic landmarks, including the Princess Theatre, Block 1912 on Whyte Avenue and the Farmers Market,” says Keef.

Keef added: “The Edmonton Police Service does not take graffiti or incidents of tagging lightly. It may take some time, though eventually police will find those responsible and hold them to account.”

Investigators have arrested and charged Devon Acuna, 22, and Connor Hawkins, 22, with five global counts each of mischief over $5,000. Police continue to investigate the series, and believe other individuals are involved.

The arrests were welcomed news for many small business owners in the historic Old Strathcona area.

“We commend the EPS for their work trying to identify and charge individuals involved in graffiti,” says Cherie Klassen, Executive Director Old Strathcona Business Association.”

“Many of the nearly 700 businesses in our community are independent, small businesses and the cost of removing graffiti has been tremendous this last year. This kind of vandalism and damage not only costs time and money for our businesses, but also creates a negative perception of our community. We support public art and murals in our neighbourhood, but do not tolerate graffiti.”

The impacts of graffiti are significant, and felt far beyond the negative public image left behind for the community, says Don Belanger, program manager with Capital City Clean Up. 

"Capital City Clean Up's Professional Cleaning program applications have increased dramatically from 160 in 2018 to 230 already this year. This tells us that more and more people are becoming victims of graffiti vandalism, which makes arrests like these so important. Unfortunately, graffiti vandalism scars our communities and costs everyone,” says Belanger.

Anyone with additional information about these graffiti incidents and/or the other individuals involved are asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

EPS Partner Contacts:

Cherie Klassen, Executive Director,
Old Strathcona Business Association
Office: 780.437.4182

Don Belanger,
Program Manager, Capital City Clean Up

Office: 780.496.5412  

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