Police: Suspects in Stamford Graffiti Spree Identified

For the last three months, Stamford Police have been investigating a series of graffiti vandalisms on both residential and business properties, trying to identify who is responsible.

Police have identified two suspects who were arrested this week including one who had nearly a pound of pot and a gun in his possession when he was busted, police said.

Detectives caught a break in their investigation on Jan. 23 when they recovered several cans of spray paint and other evidence at a business at 62 Viaduct Rd. that was extensively vandalized or tagged. Police found several cans of spray paint and other evidence that were left behind.

Police said they “recovered a fingerprint from one the cans of paint left behind. A suspect was developed but we were unable to locate him at this time.”

A vigilant resident called police Sunday night to report that “he observed a male tagging a fence at the rear of the Post Office on Camp Avenue. The male gave a good description of a vehicle leaving the area and a patrol officer spotted the vehicle entering the Rivers Edge Condo Complex,” according to police.

The vehicle left at a high rate of speed and was eventually stopped on Haig Avenue. Police say the driver, identified as Michael Fanali, 22, of 63 Buckingham Dr., Stamford, admitted he was at the rear of the Post Office. Officers recovered a backpack from Fanali that contained a large amount of spray paint cans and tools associated with tagging. “In that backpack we secured evidence that developed another suspect wanted for tagging throughout the city,” police said.

Here is what police say happened after they sifted through the evidence in the backpack:

“On March 9, 2015 the Stamford Police Property Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at 177 High Clear Dr. for the residence, the vehicle, and the person of Jeffrey Gilleski (25). During the course of the search warrant we seized 14 ounces of Marijuana, products used for the packaging and sale of marijuana, a .25 caliber Bauer handgun, and $4336.00 in US Currency.

In addition to the contraband we seized hundreds of pieces of evidence of tagging throughout the City. We secured books, murals, drawings, and pictures of graffiti that was located on buildings throughout the City. In addition we secured Gillespie’s computer and phones and will be executing search warrants to broaden our investigation.

This is still an ongoing and active investigation with investigators pouring over hundreds of pieces of evidence to tie these suspects and several others to the crimes that were committed. We have documented 39 separate tagging incidents throughout the city and will be linking those incidents to these individuals. More arrests are expected within the next few weeks.

We currently believe the crew mentioned above is responsible for the following tags (“LUNA”,”LUNAR”, “SLICK”, and “VLER”). As we examine the evidence collected we might extend this list to other tagging’s. We ask that if there is any unreported graffiti observed to please call the Stamford Police Property Crimes Unit (203-977-4407) so we could categorize the evidence.”

[There also was a fifth word used in the tags — the “f-word.”]

Fanali was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy. He was released on a written promise to appear March 23 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Gilleski was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. His bond was set at $25,000. He’s also due in court on March 23.

Lt. Diedrich Hohn said investigators believe the two suspects and the third man whose fingerprint was found on the spray paint can in January are part of “a loose-knit group of kids who like graffiti, enjoy art, painting” and are not a part of an organized tagging gang.

Officers are trying to determine what if any meaning the tags may have, Hohn said.

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Photos courtesy Stamford Police. #1: from left, Michael Fanali and Jeffrey Gilleski; #2: one of the vandalized trucks.