Alleged Chicago Gang Member Charged In 'Mass Graffiti Incident:' OLPD

OAK LAWN, IL — A Chicago man is accused of vandalizing dozens of vehicles over the summer in Oak Lawn, Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Worth and Palos Heights. Hector Gutierrez, 31, was charged with 41 counts of criminal defacement of property.

During the overnight hours of July 21, Oak Lawn residents woke up to discover that their vehicles had been vandalized with spray paint. The purported vandal mostly targeted the area between Cicero and Laramie avenues, from 107th Street to 111th Street. Many of the vehicles had “BLM” or “Crack” spray-painted on them. Oak Lawn detectives were able to collect surveillance images from neighborhood doorbell cameras.

During their investigation, Oak Lawn detectives discovered that other nearby towns were also hit by a “mass graffiti incident.” In Alsip, 19 vehicles and/or garage doors were similarly spray-painted with “BLM” and “crack.”

Surveillance photo of a man identified as Hector Gutierrez, 31, of Chicago, who police said vandalized dozens of vehicles in July.

Working in collaboration with Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights and Worth, Gutierrez, a member of the Two Six street gang, was identified as a possible suspect, Oak Lawn police said.

On Oct. 10, an off-duty Oak Lawn detective recognized Gutierrez in Alsip near the area of 122nd Street and Cicero Avenue. Alsip police were notified, and an Alsip patrol officer took Gutierrez into custody. Gutierrez was later transported to Oak Lawn, where he was charged with 41 counts of criminal defacement of property. He was released at the Oak Lawn police station after being charged because it was not a detainable offense and without cash bond, Gutierrez could not be held.

Gutierrez is to appear in court Oct. 24 in Bridgeview.