Publications & Sites 
LaGrange Park police arrest graffiti suspect
Updated: December 3, 2012 1:34AM
LAGRANGE PARK — Police have arrested a 30-year-old LaGrange Park man believed responsible for a number of spray-painting incidents on the northeast side of town in the past three months.
Erik Lirette of the 1100 block of Kemman Avenue at 2:50 a.m. faces charges of disorderly conduct charge stemming from an incident on the 800 block of 31st Street.
Lirette was observed acting in a loud and intoxicated manor, and when a patrol officer approached, he saw Lirette had a baseball bat in his hand, said police Cmdr. Ed Rompa.
Police noticed similarities to a man caught on surveillance videos from several businesses along 31st Street east of the Indiana Harbor Belt railroad tracks, Rompa said.
Rompa said police had received numerous reports Sept. 25 of spray painting and graffiti along 31st Street. Lirette admitted to doing the spray painting, Rompa said.
“We’re talking with all the victims, and charges could range from criminal damage to criminal defacement,” Rompa said.
Spray paint damage had occurred off and on for the past three months, Rompa said. Only one person is believed responsible, rather than a group, he added.
Brookfield police charged Lirette with criminal defacement of Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., after black spray paint was reported there Sept. 25 and the incident was captured on a surveillance video.
“’I see you. Thank PWC,’ was written,” said Brookfield police Lt. James Episcopo. “It didn’t seem to be a message.”
