MANVILLE: Juveniles charged after spray-painting spree

By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
   Just as borough officials are poised to act on new ordinances addressing graffiti in town, police arrested three juveniles on charges of criminal mischief for spray painting 33 buildings Saturday, including several businesses, private residences and public property.
   According to Manville police Chief Mark Peltack, the two males and one female — ages 17, 15 and 15 with two being from Hillsborough and one from Manville — hit several businesses, private garages and firehouses, among other areas, during the spree Saturday.
   ”There was some profanity, but mostly tags and drawings,” he said.
   Chief Peltack said the juveniles were apprehended the same night and released to their parents. He said they face charges of criminal mischief, which have not yet been filed.
   ”Then the penalty will be up to the judge,” he said. “We are currently gathering all the information and putting a case together.”
   The penalties are all state-mandated and could include fines and community service.
   Chief Peltack said he believes the crime can be attributed simply to boredom.
   ”That was a lot of work they did,” he said. “Now, I assume, the cleanup process is under way.”
   This incident comes as the Borough Council prepares to introduce an ordinance tonight (Monday). As discussed at the Feb. 23 meeting, the ordinance allows the borough to require private property owners to remove graffiti within a certain amount of time as well as authorizing a reward of up to $500 for those individuals who provide information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the perpetrator.