Visual Art

Graffiti Bandit Arrested

V1 Staff |

Looks like the mysterious graffiti artist who stuck giant wheatpaste stickers all over town a few weeks back has been arrested. From the Eau Claire Police Department's press release (3-21-16)...

Members of the Eau Claire Police Department have been actively investigating several incidents of large scale graffiti throughout our community. The graffiti was intentionally placed at prominent locations in Eau Claire and resulted in considerable expense to the property owner.

On February 20, 2016 an Eau Claire Police Officer discovered graffiti spray painted on the front side of 2424 East Clairemont Avenue (previously K-Mart). The graffiti is described as large droopy eyes with a partial face. Within the next couple of days, similar graffiti was located at 4606 Golf Road (Macy's), 4200 Fairfax Street (Fairfax Park) and 8700 Highway 53. The graffiti was rather large in nature and easily visible by the public.

On March 9, 2016 the Eau Claire Police Department began investigating several stickers being placed throughout the community that resembled "Buckwheat" from the Little Rascals. Cases of the sticker have been reported at 131 South Barstow Street (US Bank), 1 West Grand Avenue (bike trail bridge) and 600 Graham Avenue. The Eau Claire Police Department is working with other city staff members and property owners to identify all the locations this graffiti occurred and making clean-up arrangements.

Members of the Eau Claire Police Department began investigating the case and reviewing video footage. A partial plate of the suspect vehicle was obtained at one of the locations. Further investigation revealed Gabriel M. Fischer (DOB 02/19/1995) is the registered owner of the suspect vehicle. Eau Claire Police Officers interviewed

Fischer and he confessed to the "Buckwheat" stickers and spray paint graffiti at these locations. Fischer has been arrested with one count Disorderly Conduct (WI State Statute 947.01) and one count Criminal Damage to Property (WI State Statute 943.01) on each of the locations that he vandalized.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges of Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property are possible.