NEW DORP — The man charged with painting anti-government and anti-Semitic graffiti on banks and stores in New Dorp also has been linked to the defacement of two American flag murals, prosecutors said.
Vincent Rodriguez, 26, of New Dorp Beach, was arrested Monday for painting messages like "End the Fed," "F--k Obama" and "End Zionism" on the walls of 10 businesses in New Dorp between Feb. 12 and 19, according to court papers.
Rodriguez was also accused of tagging American flag murals painted by artist Scott LoBaido on Shoprite with "F--k LoBaido Zionist" on Feb. 18, which police initially believed was done by a different vandal.
He first tagged "End the Fed" on the walls, windows and ATM machines of the Chase Bank, at 2754 Hylan Blvd., on Feb. 12 between 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., according to court papers. He hit the same bank a second time on Feb. 16.
Rodriguez painted similar messages on the BCB Bank at 365 New Dorp Lane, the Chase Bank at 2626 Hylan Blvd., the Chase Bank at 200 New Dorp Lane, the Tysens Park shopping center at 2750 Hylan Blvd., the Satandar Bank at 2700 Hylan Blvd., Something Sweet ice cream parlor at 314 New Dorp Lane, the Shoprite at 2424 Hylan Blvd. and Xclusive Auto Leasing at 2445 Hylan Blvd., court papers show.
The last tag was found by police on Feb. 19 at the Beach Bum Tanning at 2281 Hylan Blvd., where Rodriguez is suspected of painting "WW3 Near. End Zionism. Homeschool Your Kids" He's accused of making the graffiti between 9 a.m to 3:30 p.m. that day, according to court papers.
Rodriguez was charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti at his arraignment on Tuesday, according to the Staten Island District Attorney's office. His bail was set at $1,500.
Rodriguez also faces misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and making graffiti in connection to the "Inc 15" and "Revolution" graffiti found on a Verizon electrical box near the corner of Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp Lane, according to court papers.
His bail was set at $500 for those charges.
He's due back in court on Friday, according to the District Attorney's office.
His lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment.
