Novato teen graffiti artist arrested
Staff Report
Article Launched: 03/27/2007 05:45:06 PM PDT

A 17-year-old suspected graffiti vandal who challenged Novato police with scrawled taunts of "catch me if you can" was arrested Tuesday.
The teen was booked at Marin County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of felony vandalism.

The teenager was arrested at his home in the 500 block of Arthur Street after Novato police conducted a search after an investigation by police school resources officers.

Authorities said he is suspected of at least 28 cases of graffiti in Novato, tagging commercial buildings, fences, bus stops - and taunting Novato police from the beginning of the year.

"He's been tagging all over the place," Novato police spokesman Sgt. John McCarthy said. "He was really into it big time."

The graffiti used specific nicknames, some gang affiliation tags and, in several cases, challenged police to catch him.

McCarthy said it doesn't appear the juvenile is affiliated with any gang.

The vandalism caused damage estimated at more than $3,000.

- Joe Wolfcale