A spray-painting vandal with the signature tag of 'Wheat' has been causing hundreds of dollars in damage in downtown Hope for weeks now.
The graffiti artist first began making his mark by spray painting the CN rail mechanical shed at the end of Wallace Street. He moved onto the brick wall of the lawyers' offices, a garbage container at Commission and Sixth Avenue, a wall under the Hope-Fraser Bridge, and the back of numerous buildings from schools, to apartments and churches.
"Several businesses over the last five weeks have been the target of graffiti with a signature tag of the word "wheat" written in various colours of spray paint. In all, over 15 properties have been tagged," said RCMP Cst. Tracy Wolbeck, in a press release.
Police are asking for the public assistance in identifying a suspect that was seen leaving after tagging a building. He is described as Caucasian, 6' tall, and in his late teens or early twenties. He has short dark hair, glasses, and was wearing a white knit toque with ear tassels and a white ski jacket.
"Graffiti is a mischief offence and has the potential to cost business owners hundreds of dollars to repair depending on the extent of the graffiti," added Wolbeck.
If you have any information on the identity of the suspect call the Hope RCMP detachment at 604-869-7750 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).