A Newark man faces more than 80 charges stemming from 25 graffiti incidents at businesses, residences and the University of Delaware.
In December 2017, Newark Police Department Special Operations Unit began an investigation into multiple acts of graffiti.
The suspect marked the same phrase in multiple locations around Newark and many of the acts of vandalism occurred when the suspect unlawfully entered upon the private property of residences, police stated.
Kevin J O’Rourke was identified as a suspect. A second, still unidentified, suspect conspired to commit the crimes, police stated.
During the execution of a search warrant at O’Rourke’s residence, a small amount of marijuana was located along with evidence of the graffiti.
In addition, O’Rourke made statements to persons present in his residence at the time of the search warrant which may prevent their cooperation in this investigation. Those statements resulted in a charge of Act of Coercion, police stated.
O’Rourke was made aware of his warrant and turned himself into the Newark Police Department on May 10, 2018.
O’Rourke was released from police custody on his own recognizance pending his future appearance in Newark Alderman’s Court.
Anyone with additional information about these incidents can contact Master Corporal J. Conover at jconover@newark.de.us or (302) 366-7100 x. 3443.
