Vandals go on Riverhead graffiti spree

Someone went on a graffiti spree in Riverhead last week, tagging building throughout the downtown area. And though one suspect has been arrested, it is not clear if he is the same person responsible for all the markings.

Graffiti was made at the Long Island Cauliflower Association on Marcy Avenue and at Long Island Ice and Fuel on West Main Street Nov. 23. Graffiti was reported again on the old West Marine building, Nov. 25. and at the Salvation Army store and Barth’s Pharmacy, all on East Main Street, Nov. 26, among several other locations.

Barth’s owner, Barry Barth said he had not noticed the graffiti as of Wednesday morning. After an inspection of the side of his building, he said someone had sprayed black paint over a mural

he had painted on the side. He speculated that it would be nearly impossible to take off the black paint without damaging the mural underneath. “It was painted with no seal coat,” he said.

He said two people had spray painted his property several years. He said they were arrested and sentenced by Judge Allen Smith to clean and sand down the graffiti.

On Saturday, police arrested 18-year-old Montaigne Henderson for making graffiti on the J & H transfer building on Route 58 in Riverhead. He was charged with making graffiti, possession of a graffiti instrument and criminal mischief,
Police could not say whether or not Mr. Henderson was involved in making the Main Street graffiti, though no new graffiti has been reported since.

Mr. Henderson was observed by police tagging the building after they received a phone call from a witness shortly after midnight, according to authorities.

Mr. Henderson pleaded not guilty and was released on $500 bail. He is due back in town justice court Dec. 14.