Transport Authorised Officers from the Asset Protection Unit (APU) were commended this week by Victoria Police for their determined and relentless investigation into an internationally known vandal from the United States that came to Australia with the intention to, in his words, ‘….make graffiti history.’ The pathetic vandal, who goes by the name of Revok, was seized in a dramatic arrest by police at Melbourne airport as he was about to board his flight home to the USA via Sydney. He was charged with graffiti vandalism-related offences and remanded in custody.
This idiot brought himself to the attention of the APU when he vandalised one of our trains in the Macaulay sidings. Although two men were apprehended that night, Revok was unfortunately not one of
them. The APU tasked him and began to investigate. Like all graffiti vandals, his misguided obsession for notoriety was also his vulnerability, and in the case of Revok his downfall.
Using a variety of investigative methods, the APU was able to establish his identity, and from that his movements were tracked. As data was being collated, important information came to the APU that Revok was heading out of the country the same day. Then followed a timely phone call to Victoria Police. The result was that as Revok was heading to his plane thinking he was home and hosed, he was arrested, charged and remanded in custody.
His case was heard at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court the following day where he was found guilty on all counts. He received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay $15,340 in restitution.
‘This result is a great example of cross-organisation cooperation and team work. The collaboration between the Victoria Police and the AO department is to be commended, said Jim Dimitrioski, Customer Service Manager for Authorised Officers and security. ‘Most importantly, a message has now been sent to would-be vandals that Australia, and in particular Melbourne and its trains, are not easy targets.’

Didn’t know I needed to jump back to the Trutanich post when your words seemed pretty clear here (quelle horreur). That you don’t see any problm with him having items that are banned by his probation means what, minor violations are ok with you?

Guess in your world a wheel gun as compared to an auto would be ok in the hands of a gangster with terms. I mean a guy needs some back up right?

As for the story, I deliberately took a non-judgmental tone as I thought it was an interesting tale and that people could make up their own minds about where they stood on it.

Personally, I think it’s a tad over the top in terms of public resources if the LASD really did sent 15 cars out to find a guy who, as you said, when you get down to it is guilty of a technical violation of summary probation.

They’re not accusing him of additional graffiti. He appears to occasionally still do the street thing, but it seems to be now a deal like the alcoholic who back slides now and then. But no one seems to be suggesting that he has new pieces up in LA County. And unlike other lawbreakers, when this guy breaks the law its meant to be noticed.

(I refused to comment on the matter of the Detour sign.)

Okay, now I’m going back to correcting papers.

The guy has to grow up and looks like that will have to happen in a locked setting.

You seem to take this a bit lightly Celeste. How about some social justice for inner city residents who pay the cost of this type “art” that business owners get rid of and pass the cost on to consumers that can least afford it?

Sure it’s wrong to steal road signs, even if he “Found” an old one knocked over somewhere, but still, something about all this sounds off, as if the sheriff is doing this for PR to show he’s “tough on taggers?” Going after a high-profile person like this at a relatively staid and respectable art event is kind of like nabbing Polanski showing up at a major film festival. Designed to get max attention maybe?