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2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
SUBJECT: Suspect Cited in Graffiti Incident
BY: DPD Public Information Officer R. Tinsley (218) 730-5722
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Suspect Cited in Graffiti Incident
CASE NO.: 15153086
INCIDENT DATE: 7/9/2015
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: 14th Avenue East and 5th Street Duluth
On July 9th, 2015 a local media outlet ran a story with a photograph of graffiti painted at the Lower Chester Park Hockey Rink and Community Center near 14th Avenue East and 5th Street.
The graffiti incident was reported via email to an officer by the Neighbors of Lower Chester Park community group. The officer met with the group at the scene and collected a black spray paint can that was in the trash near the hockey rink. The paint can was processed for fingerprints and a useable print was developed that an investigator was able to identify as belonging to 20 year old Reece Joseph Townsend. On August 13th, the officer interviewed Townsend who initially denied involvement with the graffiti incident, but confessed when confronted with the fingerprint evidence. Townsend was issued a citation for criminal damage to property. The cost to the City of Duluth to clean up the graffiti was $471.92.
This is an excellent example of the community and police department working together to solve criminal activity. Although this may seem like a minor crime, these are important to the Duluth Police Department and our community.
