A teenager from Southampton Town was arrested on Wednesday, April 13, and charged with vandalizing street signs in East Moriches this winter, according to Suffolk County Police.
The 17-year-old girl, who lives in North Sea, was charged with seven counts of making graffiti after authorities said she spray-painted several stop and speed limit signs between January 1 and 18. Two damaged signs were reported on both Pine Edge Drive and Woodlawn Avenue, while signs were also targeted on Watchogue Avenue, Evergreen Road and near the intersection of Driftwood Lane and Newport Beach Boulevard.
According to Sergeant Dean Joseph with the 7th Precinct in Shirley, officers from the unit’s Crime Section began investigating the vandalism after East Moriches residents complained about finding the words “Barbie” and “yogi” spray-painted on several street signs. No residential homes or businesses were targeted, he said.
Citing the ongoing investigation, Sgt. Joseph said he could not say how detectives tied the teenager to the vandalism.
The girl, who Sgt. Joseph said has no prior arrests, was released last Wednesday after her parents posted $350 bail. She is scheduled to be arraigned in the 1st District Court in Central Islip on June 1.
Police did not assess a monetary value to the damaged signs or the associated cleanup costs. Asked whether or not the teen will be fined or punished, Sgt. Joseph said those decisions will be made by the court.
Officers are asking anyone with information about other graffiti in the area to contact the 7th Precinct Crime Section at 852-8726 or call anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
