Ann Arbor teenager suspected in graffiti tagging arraigned on felony vandalism charge
One of the Ann Arbor teenagers arrested and accused of tagging city buildings with graffiti has been arraigned on a felony charge, according to court records.
Jacob Saalberg
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
Jacob Saalberg, 17, is facing one count of malicious destruction of property worth more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, according to court records. He was released from the Washtenaw County Jail Monday on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond.
Saalberg is accused of tagging 220 Felch St. in mid-March. Robert Cleveland, the owner of the building, said he had paid $3,000 to have the building totally cleaned of graffiti on March 10 and spray paint appeared on the building just days later.
Saalberg was arrested Thursday and arraigned on the charges Monday, according to court records. A search warrant executed on his residence revealed spray paint cans, paint pens and electronics showing evidence of graffiti, according to Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush.
If convicted, Saalberg faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. In addition, Cleveland is considering a civil suit.
Ann Arbor police also arrested an 18-year-old Ann Arbor man who was allegedly tagging playground equipment and trashcans at Ann Arbor’s Las Vegas Park Saturday afternoon. He had not been arraigned as of Tuesday morning, according to court records.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Basic Bob
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Tagging may be destructive and illegal, and still artistic. These young men can learn to harness their creative energy in positive ways.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
We're closing comments on this story. While some readers are offering thoughtful remarks on the story and other comments are less constructive, just about all of them cannot be allowed due to our guidelines about presuming guilt.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
We just went through and removed several comments. Many were thoughtful, but included elements that we don't allow in comments. Please be sure that your comments don't presume guilt.
Sharilyn
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
Thank you!!
other
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
In 2010, he was 3rd place in a Graffiti Contest sponsored by AADL.......
bobslowson
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
And quick Google search also tells us that he won "honorable mention" for a LEGO building contest at AADL in 2007....
GirlNextDoor
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 7:30 p.m.
I also think that AADL needs to quit sponsoring a graffiti contest: The Graffiti Art Contest has occurred each year during the Ann Arbor Art Fairs since 2003. Teens in Grades 6-12 are invited to come down and make a piece in the library parking lot using materials provided by the library. All entries are displayed in a month-long exhibit in the library. Perhaps A2PD should google the winners from past years, and see if they are running around our city with spray paint, too.
Dog Guy
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 5:41 p.m.
I have my torch and pitchfork at the ready.
Don B. Arfkahk
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
His graffiti sucked... it was detrimental to the image of Ann Arbor, not beneficial like the work of some highly talented artists. So, why not make him spend the summer cleaning up graffiti? Done. No need to screw up the rest of his life with years in prison and a criminal record, pushing him toward a life of crime rather than giving him an out. Him in prison benefits no one - except me, because I have invested money in the private prisons of Michigan's future and stand to make a fortune. Tom Joad - if he can be charged as an adult based on his maturity, why can't 20 year olds be treated as an adult when found with alcohol?
Don B. Arfkahk
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
http://grafitiigallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Graffiti-3D-Murals-Art-5.jpg LA has been allowing talented artists to paint stuff like that in run down neighborhoods. It turns eyesores into something to admire, and makes these places more pleasant to live in and visit as well as instilling a sense of pride in the community.
jcj
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Please lets us know which of the graffiti "artist" pass your test. That way we can arrange for some "beneficial work" to be done on your house by a "highly talented artist "
Machine
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
Seriously? Where do you live? I'd like to send some "talented" graffiti artists to work on your house and car. Apparently you have no problem with having your things vandalized as long as the art is high quality.
Tom Joad
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
Hope they charge him as an adult...which is probably the case otherwise they wouldn't print his photo...No judicial mercy for taggers...the entire town is overrun by graffiti.