Police make arrest in graffiti spree

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - Fort Madison police have arrested a Fort Madison man in connection with a string of graffiti crimes in Fort Madison.

According to Fort Madison Police Chief Mark Rohloff, Donald Bell, 18, of Fort Madison has been charged with criminal mischief in connection with the vandalism spree.

"He admitted to a half a dozen places that he tagged with spray paint, including the church," Rohloff said.

Two of the locations vandalized included St. Mary's Church and McAleer Hall, both on Avenue E.

Rohloff said the word "Smoke" is what Bell was marking the buildings with. He said he didn't know if that was a handle or alias, but police were still looking into the incidents and assessing other areas for damage.

Fort Madison firefighters used power washers on the church and hall to remove the graffiti.

Several other business and private residences and property were part of the spree.

Bell was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief, a given a court date, and released.

Bell is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.