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Graffiti task force 10-09-08

Hawaii Police Department
Juvenile Aid Section, Area II
Lieutenant Glenn Uehana
Phone: 326-4646, Ext. 230
October 9, 2008

(See larger image here.)

Juersen mug shot

Damien Juersen
…charged in multiple graffiti cases

Media Release

Dozens of graffiti cases in the West Hawaii area have been solved as the result of a two-month investigation.

On August 12, due to numerous complaints of graffiti, police formed a special task force consisting of a detective and several patrol officers.

On August 26, an 18-year old Kona man was arrested for spray painting graffiti on the wall of a local Kailua business establishment. A Kona Metro security officer observed the activity and detained him using her service vehicle to block his avenue of escape until patrol officers arrived.

Damien Juersen, 18, was arrested and charged with criminal property damage. He was later charged with eight additional counts of criminal property damage. Police recovered his car and obtained a search warrant. Investigators recovered approximately 40 cans of spray paint, an album containing photos of graffiti and a digital camera containing numerous photographs of graffiti. 

As more leads became available over the course of the investigation, police arrested and charged four juveniles. Police interviewed four additional juveniles and another adult male and sent their cases to the prosecutor’s office for a charging decision. 

Of the 51 graffiti cases assigned, 44 have been closed either with charges or with referrals to Family Court or the prosecutor’s office. Total monetary damage is estimated at $20,466.