Clayton police seek help to catch three graffiti vandals
Police are looking to identify and apprehend three young men who spray-painted graffiti across more than a dozen properties in downtown Clayton early Sunday morning.
Video surveillance footage shows the three men moving up and down Main Street between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m, spraying red, orange and yellow paint on buildings, newspaper boxes and dumpsters belonging to downtown businesses and the town.
Among the businesses damaged is BM Robertson Mule Company, at 144 Lombard Street, which is owned by 102-year-old Sam Robertson, a World War II veteran. They also damaged landscaping areas around the town’s art sculptures with paint and painted the eight-foot tall wooden box that contains the chalk expression box the town installed to celebrate its 150th birthday.
Numerous other salons and businesses along Main Street were also painted.
Police believe the men started their spree after parking at Compare Foods near the corner of Lombard and Second streets before moving up Main Street.
On Monday morning, police discovered more graffiti painted at Southern Village Shopping Center along US 70 West. The graffiti contained symbols similar to those painted downtown early Sunday.
Anyone with any information about the identity of the men are asked to contact Clayton Police at 919-553-4611. Tipsters may remain anonymous.