Middletown Police make arrest in anti-law enforcement graffiti case

Charles J. Traina, 20, of Middletown, was arrested today by Township Officers after a months long investigation into ant-police, anti-government, and anti-Middletown Township acts of vandalism in the Oak Hill section, Chief Craig Webber announced.

The graffiti was first observed on August 24 on streets, sidewalks and utility poles on Howland Road, Lyon Road, and other streets in the Oak Hill area. After to was cleaned up, Traina returned and again vandalized those areas again with hateful messages.

“Unfortunately, this incident is a reflection of the turmoil and lack of civility often occurring in our society during these very difficult times.,” Chief Webber said. “We need to be more respectful towards one another and remember that there is so much more that unites us than divides us. It is important to balance exercising our rights without inciting or resorting to violence, or defacing and destroying property. Actions such as those are never acceptable, and those who engage in this type of criminal activity will be held accountable.”

“I’d to like to thank the Middletown Township Police Department for its thorough investigation ending in the arrest of Mr. Traina,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “Not only did his cowardly act cost the taxpayers unnecessary expense, it placed an unfortunate stain on an otherwise peaceful area of the Township.”

Traina was charged with one count of Criminal Mischief, a 4^th Degree Crime, and subsequently released on a summons complaint.