3 nabbed in graffiti vandalism
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
The arrest of a Jersey City man charged with spray-painting "elusiv" on city buildings has proven that he is not.

Angel Aponte, 18, of Webster Avenue, was arrested at Grand Street and Pacific Avenue at 2:21 a.m. Saturday and charged with criminal mischief and criminal trespassing, police report said.

Police spotted Aponte and Haytham Elgawly, 18, of Kennedy Boulevard, spray-painting on buildings there while a 16-year-old Mill Road boy appeared to be keeping lookout, reports said.

The officers called in back-up and approached the trio, who jumped fences and took off running but were caught, reports said, adding that during the chase Elgawly tossed a bag containing 12 cans of spray paint.

Police said they stopped Aponte as he was painting "elusiv" on the building.

That word "has been seen 'tagged' around the city," reports said. They also found Aponte had a drawing of the tag on him, as well as 11 cans of spray paint, reports said.

Elgawly faces the same charges as Aponte, reports said. The 16-year-old was issued a summons for a curfew violation and turned over to his mother, reports said.

Police Capt. Hugh Donahue said investigators will determine if they can tie Aponte to "elusive" tags.

"If we can charge him with additional instances, we are going to charge him," he said.