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Wanted Pittsburgh Graffiti Tagger Arrested

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A well-known and wanted Pittsburgh graffiti tagger has been arrested, and police say he is a student at a local university.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Graffiti Squad found Max Gonzales, 22, Monday around 10:30 a.m.

Gonzales, a student at Carnegie Melon University, was wanted for tagging 58 locations in Oakland, Shadyside, East Liberty and Bloomfield, with total damage estimated at $114,000.

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Gonzales was tied to the tag "Gem," which are his initials backwards, as well as "Gemonios," "312" and "BTK" (Born to Krush).

graffiti
Photo: The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Graffiti Squad

Police say he is a resident of Willowbrook, Illinois.

According to arrest papers, two years ago, a CMU art department employee found spray paint and graffiti sketch books inside Gonzales' backpack.

The university has not said if they will discipline the student or not.

Officers say his arrest was made possible from a tip, after a box truck at the East End Brewing Company in Larimer was tagged.

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