GRAND RAPIDS -- Police say they got lucky when a witness allegedly spotted Timothy Maddox, 22, and Matthew Wyatt, 27, taking turns tagging a building at 13 McDonell St. SW with spray paint.
The Grand Rapids men -- the oldest graffiti suspects nabbed in the city -- reportedly left their marks on downtown buildings just for fun. But for authorities, the paint is malicious destruction of property, a maximum five-year felony.
"I know they have no record, but we're recommending jail time, 90 days in jail plus restitution," said Grand Rapids police Lt. Ralph Mason.
Wyatt waived his preliminary exam in Grand Rapids District Court Tuesday and was ordered to stand trial in Kent County Circuit Court.
Maddox pleaded guilty Tuesday to a lesser charge, destruction of property, which is a misdemeanor. He and his attorney, Larry Willey, declined to comment.
Both suspects remain free on bond.
"They were doing their name and a little design. They are the oldest we've arrested for graffiti," said Todd Tofferi, an administrative analyst for the city's streets and sanitation.
Most graffiti people -- Tofferi refuses to call them artists -- are between 18 and 30 years old.
"The thing is, some of these people do have some talent. Not these guys. But some have talent, and they could do something with it," Tofferi said.
The duo allegedly used the tag of "tank," which Tofferi said the city has been erasing for at least five years, although police do not know how long the two suspects allegedly have been defacing buildings.