Riverside police release photos of graffiti vandals

RIVERSIDE, N.J. - May 20, 2011 (WPVI) -- There are still no arrests in a case of vandalism, that defaced the entrance of Riverside High School in Riverside, New Jersey. So now, police are resorting to some visual ammunition in their search for suspects.

It's an act of vandalism that actually took place nearly three weeks ago, however Riverside police have not made an arrest and so they are casting a wider net by releasing some very important surveillance pictures.

Riverside police are looking for two young men. The video they released is clear and they are hoping someone recognizes them. Police say they are responsible for graffiti found on a wall and entrance to Riverside High School.

Riverside police Lt. Louis Fisher tells Action News, "We're thinking vandalism more than anything, but the actors are definitely, have a knack for graffiti style vandalism that can be connected to gang activity."

The incident happened at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30th, but police have been unable to find the pair and are hoping the public can help by taking a good look the pictures.

Riverside School Superintendant Robert Goldschmidt says the graffiti was removed before school opened on Monday.

Goldschmidt says, "As soon as our maintenance department gets rid of it, the better off we think we are. Because we don't encourage anybody to repeat that kind of act.

The cameras on the school property show the two completing their task on a wall and then looking back as they walked away as if to admire it. Riverside is a town of about 8,000 people, so if no one has recognized the two, the superintendant says that means they are not locals.

"People would recognize the faces almost right away. You know, the old adage that everybody knows everybody in a small town is certainly true," explained Goldschmidt.

Police say there is a gang presence in the area and perhaps the graffiti was designed to send a message.

Lt. Fisher says, "It's not just vandalism. It actually could be a message as well. So that's what we're trying to make sure that... if this is a message, to try to reach out."

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new jersey, graffiti, vandalism, gangs, burlington county, local/state

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