A graffiti vandal was arrested and is in Police custody, following a recent crackdown. Noe Hernanez-Santos,19, from Edison, NJ, is being charged with seven counts of vandalism, and is being held at Ocean County Jail on $1,000 bail. The Crackdown – initiated by Committeman Meir Lichtenstien – comes after a sharp rise in graffiti markings in the recent months. The rise – along with other graffiti related incidents – prompted Committeeman Lichtenstien to spearhead a campaign to combat graffiti vandalism.
Working closely with the Police Department, Lichtenstien also arranged for graffiti cleanups by those incarcerated at Ocean County Jails.
The following is a release sent to TLS, by Police Chief Rob Lawson following the recent arrest:
At 5:49 am, on August 7th, 2010, the Lakewood Police Department received a call reporting that a vandal was currently defacing property in the Laurel Ave. area. Ptl. Joseph Gregg responded and observed Noe Hernanez-Santos, Age 19, from Edison, NJ, crouching next to a house at 33 Pearl St. Officer Gregg’s observations let him to detain Hernandez-Santos.
Hernandez-Santos attempted to get rid of the marker that he was using and was intercepted by Officer Gregg. Further observation of the neighborhood revealed that 33 pearl St, 379 Laurel Ave, 369 Laurel Ave, 23 pearl St, 367 Laurel Ave, 315 Laurel Ave, and 313 Laurel Ave. all had either their property or vehicles defaced by graffiti.
Hernandez-Santos was brought to Police headquarters and interviewed by Det. Sherry Jones.
Hernandez was then charged by Officer Joseph Gregg with seven counts of vandalism and placed in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.
Off. Gregg is a great officer but he needs to improve on his attitude towards Lakewood’s public. He once shouted at me when I asked how Off. Butterworth’s finger was healing.
He wasn’t even from Lkwd after all! Blame it on an Edison invester!!
why’d he bother coming from Edison to spray paint Lakewood?
Way to go #304. I wish Lpd had more vigilant officers like him
Did officer gregg return the marker for a touchdown after he intercepted it?
I guess Lakewood really attracts all the aspiring artists! 😉
They’re probably from a gang and trying to claim more territory, scary!
Is Officer Gregg the new officer Butterworth????????
Offer Gregg and butterworth are tag team champion crime fighters!!
I hope officer gregg dances at camp simcha next year
Too bad the Police Department didn’t initiate this campaign to combat grafitti! Maybe the PD will be more proactive next time.
Butter who? Officer Gregg for Mayor!
Maybe he did all the other graffati markings recently why don’t they investigate and question him we need some ny detective work
Again my comments await “moderation” while others written after mine are posted. TLS, this is not good media!
$1000 bail?!?!?
He’ll be out in no time. His graffiti damage will exceed $1000 in just a few moments!! What a joke.
Maybe they should hire more officers
What are the legal consequences? Is it considered a felony or misdemeanor offense? He should be held financially responsible for restitution after any unlikely jail time.
what was he spray painting on the houses? what gang is he related to?
it takes talent to do griffiti i think he did good Noe Hernanez-Santos good job and to #12 regis filben for mayor
make him clean it up
Hey how is Lt Meyer doing ? I hear he is back on midnights…….I feel safer already!
Hey # 11 …did you know that LPD only has approximately 80 officers in patrol? So take that, divide it by three, and then 7 days in a week. That leaves about 8 officers working a shift. Not nearly enough for a town of 100,000. Maybe if the police were so bust taking stolen bicycle reports from people who don’t lock their bikes up they’d have time to do proactive work. But if you don’t want your taxes raised, then guess what, you will keep getting the same service