sealPurdue News
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January 9, 1998

Purdue police question suspected graffiti artists

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University police apprehended and questioned three suspects Thursday (1/8) in connection with the discovery of a wall of freshly spray-painted graffiti in a campus pedestrian tunnel.

Police were dispatched to subwalks near the Krannert Building and Wood Street Parking Garage about 3 p.m. when a passerby reported the odor of fresh paint and seeing three young men looking at the wall. Neither the passerby nor police saw the three painting the wall, but the suspects surrendered cans of spray paint to police. A piece of chalk also was found nearby, which police said was used to sketch designs before being painted.

The graffiti included unintelligible lettering and designs, along with the phrases "Mexican Power," "Sur Las" and "Tag'N." Crews were removing the graffiti today (Friday, 1/9).

"Purdue prides itself on a clean and safe work environment," said James Roush, deputy police chief. "Such incidents are not welcome. We work hard to control them and punish those responsible."

He said two of the suspects, both juveniles, were released to their parents, and the third suspect was questioned and released. Roush said Tippecanoe County juvenile authorities and the prosecutor's office will receive copies of the report for review and possible charges.

Source: James Roush, (765) 494-8221
Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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