On Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 7:13 p.m., a Gillespie County deputy was dispatched to the 3400 block of East US Highway 290 in response to a report of a male suspect spray-painting a vehicle. The suspect left the scene heading eastbound on the highway, followed by the caller.
The deputy located the suspect's vehicle near the 6500 block of the highway and observed an object being tossed from the passenger window. The deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 8000 block and detained the male driver for littering.
Upon questioning, the driver claimed to work for AT&T, marking lines from there to Austin, TX. He was wearing a traffic vest and hard hat but provided limited information. The deputy retrieved the discarded object, a white spray can with black paint.
At the original location, a Tractor Supply bag containing a white spray can, a receipt from Tractor Supply, dog food, ear protection, and a half-smoked cigar was found. The driver possessed a cigar cutter.
The spray-painted vehicle had obscenities and altered language involving Trump in new white and black spray paint. The suspect, a 58-year-old male from Austin, TX, was arrested and charged with Graffiti Pecuniary Loss < $750 - $2500 and Tampering with Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
All arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
