Teen Charged With Graffiti Resists Arrests, Injures Officer: PD

FLANDERS, NY — A 16-year-old from Flanders was charged with making graffiti and injuring an officer when he resisted arrest, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, the teen was arrested on Monday at 3:20 p.m. after a community response officer saw him defacing an electric panel and light pole near Oak Avenue in Flanders.

The officer followed and stopped the teen, who attempted to flee when approached; the teen resisted arrest and caused the officer to sustain a minor injury, police said.

The juvenile was taken to Southampton Town Police headquarters, where his parents were contacted, police said. He was charged with 20 counts of criminal mischief and making graffiti in Southampton Town and is also being charged in Riverhead with more than 15 additional counts, police said.

The teen has been “tagging” guardrails, bus shelters, buildings, electronic panels, and light poles in both Southampton and Riverhead, police said.

He was released to his parents on an appearance ticket to respond to family court at a later date, police said.

The officer was treated at the scene by Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps and released, police said.