Graffiti tagger caught red handed
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – An observant citizen helped police arrest a suspect in multiple graffiti tagging incidents in Pendleton. Police Chief Chuck Byram said Ryan George Tate, 22, was taken into custody thanks to a report from a member of the public who quickly called 911 after noticing someone tagging in the area of Big John’s Pizza Monday afternoon.
Byram said that officers responded within minutes to find the suspect had left that area. A search was mounted.
“Based on the description given, a good description given, by the individual observing him, the timely phone call, and our timely response, we were able to locate the subject still actively tagging along the river levee,” Byram said.
That’s not all they found.
“We were able to backtrack his movements to view anywhere from 10 to 12 different other areas along the river levee and other private properties, where he was tagging at 2 in the afternoon,” he said.
Tate was charged with first-degree criminal mischief and littering in or near water. The mischief charge is a felony.
Tate is a familiar face to Pendleton law enforcement.
“We have arrested him nine times and cited him 12 times at 22 years old,” Byram said. “We thank the public for being on the lookout and helping us, bolstering our forces by having extra eyes out there.”
