Police: Graffiti Artist Caught

Police announced Thursday they have arrested and charged a Hobart Drive man with a rash of graffiti that plagued the Blackwood Clementon Road business corridor and nearby neighborhoods since late last year.

The graffiti, which was concentrated on commercial buildings and residential fences, mostly consisted of the initials "JR," "JUNR," "JRS," and "JRDS."

Police began receiving reports of and spotting the black, bubble-letter graffiti in early November. The artist slowed a bit before re-emerging in recent weeks.

An intensive investigation into the graffiti concluded Wednesday afternoon with the arrest of 20-year-old Osman Lopez-Rodriguez Jr., a resident of the 500 block of Hobart Drive.

Lopez-Rodriguez was charged with 32 counts of criminal mischief in connection with the graffiti, police said. He was released on his own recognizance pending court.

"I'm very proud of the investigators," Police Chief W. Harry Earle said Thursday. "As you know, over the past six months, (the investigation) has been a priority for us from investigative and operations standpoints."

Police released images of the graffiti last week in hopes someone would recognize the work and be able to identify the artist.

Police believe Lopez-Rodriguez was acting alone, and do not feel he is affiliated with a gang.

Earle is hopeful residents in the area Lopez-Rodriguez allegedly had been targeting can rest easier knowing he has been charged.

"It's destructive. People spend a lot of money on their homes and fences," he said. "And it's not only a problem from a monetary perspective. It just doesn't look good."

Police encourage anyone who has discovered graffiti on their property but not reported it to call police dispatch at 856-228-4500.

Correction: When initially published at 6 a.m. March 11, the article "Police: Graffiti Artist Caught" indicated Osman Lopez-Rodriguez Jr. is 19 years old. He is 20.