OXFORD – The Oxford Police Department concluded a two-month investigation this week after identifying two Oxford youths allegedly responsible for painting graffiti on several area businesses.
According to Oxford Police Chief Rich Nolan, the two youths, ages 16 and 17, have been vandalizing businesses with graffiti for nearly two months. During that time, Nolan said several businesses and one residence in Oxford have been targeted. The youths reportedly spray painted graffiti on the historic train depot building and the shed, the Oxford Department of Public Works building, a church on Main Street, the Agway building on Mechanic Street, an old switch tower, a stop sign and one residence. At each site, the youths reportedly wrote the letters “SH.”
Last week, police were able to catch the two youths after the 17-year-old reportedly spray painted the doors of the Oxford middle and high schools. Nolan explained that most of the sites for the graffiti were picked at random, but at the school, the 17-year-old reportedly sprayed the doors of both buildings red and black and left an “alarming, harassment message” for the high school principal. The 17-year-old was reportedly the only one responsible for the middle school and high school graffiti. After spray painting the schools, the 17-year-old reportedly stole a bicycle and rode away from the crime scene.
“The video camera outside of the middle school picked up one of the subjects,” Nolan explained. “We were able to link everything together from there.” The youths reportedly used the same color spray paint at all of the sites, and each site was linked due to the “SH” that was at each location. Total damages to the businesses and the schools totaled approximately $900.
Oxford Superintendent Randall Squier explained that the school custodial staff cleaned and painted the doors in order to remove the graffiti. “We fully cooperated with the police investigation, and we hope they [the youths] are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The 16-year-old male was charged with third degree criminal mischief, a class E felony; fourth degree criminal mischief; making graffiti; possession of graffiti instruments, all misdemeanors; and lurking at night, a violation.
The 17-year-old was charged with two counts of third degree criminal mischief, a class E felony; two counts of third degree criminal trespassing; two counts of making graffiti; possession of graffiti instruments; two counts of disorderly conduct; two counts of second degree harassment; five counts of fourth degree criminal mischief; petit larceny, all misdemeanors; and lurking at night, a violation. Both youths were arraigned and sent to the Chenango County Jail in lieu of $2,000 cash bail or $20,000 property bond.
Further investigation is continuing into stolen street signs throughout the village streets. Anyone with information on spray painted areas, signs or missing signs is asked to contact Nolan at 843-2333.