Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Notorious 'ICOPS' Tagger 'Still at Large' on North Side, Cops Say

By Benjamin Woodard | November 15, 2013 9:07am
 A prolific tagger has been spray-painting "ICOPS" on the North Side, especially along Devon Avenue, police said.
A prolific tagger has been spray-painting "ICOPS" on the North Side, especially along Devon Avenue, police said.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Benjamin Woodard

WEST ROGERS PARK — The prolific tagger who has spray-painted "ICOPS" throughout the North Side "is still at large," police said.

"He's still all over the area," said officer Mike Stachula at a community policing meeting Thursday. "When we find out who he is, his parents are going to get a huge bill from the city."

Stachula and Rogers Park Police District beat cops have been on the lookout for whomever is responsible for the mysterious graffiti.

"I don't know, but if I find him...," said another officer, who explained that the amount of property damage caused by the vandal could add up to a felony charge.

Stachula said to residents that police might have an idea of who the ICOPS tagger is, but would need to catch the tagger on surveillance video — or in the act — to press charges.

Police have also been scouring social media for an hint of the tagger, a police source said, and they've had some luck on Instagram.

Two weeks ago, Instagram user lawlessones posted a photo of the graffiti in an "L" car with hashtag #icops.

Three months before, the same user posted a similar photo.

Other users have posted photos of the tag on construction signs, parking meters, sign poles and bus shelters in Rogers Park, Andersonville and even suburban Evanston.

Many of the ICOPS tags can be found along Devon Avenue in West Rogers Park.

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) said her office has been flooded with calls from property and business owners who have fallen victim to the ICOPS vandal.

"We are very interested in finding where this person is," she said.