Charleston Police said Tuesday that they've arrested five adults for vandalizing eight downtown businesses with graffiti on December 25th and 28th.
Police said a Charleston police officer saw three people acting suspiciously in front of a King Street business about 2 a.m. on Christmas Day. The officer also noticed a book bag lying on the sidewalk next to them.
Police said that when the three people spotted the officer, they picked up the book bag and and took off on bicycles. That's when the officer saw a large red spray painted symbol on the column in front of the business.
He caught up with the three on St. Philip Street. Police say the three had red paint on their hands, spray paint in their possession and stencils.
Police charged Cory State, 20, of Reid Street, Cassie Ann Malstead, 29, of Radcliffe Street and Kevin Weiss, 21, of Reid Street, with illegal graffiti/vandalism.
On Sunday, December 28th, about 2 a.m., officers responded to the area of King and Liberty streets after a neighbor complained that two men were spray painting in the area. Officers discovered that eight businesses had been vandalized with pink and green paint.
Police said the officers detained the two men and found bright green and pink paint on their hands and clothing.
They charged Andrae Harrison, 26, of Los Angeles, California with illegal graffiti/vandalism and possession of methadone. Anson Cyr, 24, of Kentwood Lane, is charged with illegal graffiti/vandalism.
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