Crime

2014 Recap: Dan Gilbert's Graffiti 'Degenerates' Identified As Grosse Pointe Teens

December 23, 2014, 9:32 AM

This repost from July 1 is the second in a series of notable 2014 content, based on readership and editors’ choices. Our Top 10 countdown runs through Dec. 31. Monday’s article is here.

Kimberly Craig reports on WXYZ that police interviewed three teenagers from Grosse Pointe Woods as suspects in the tagging of a downtown Detroit building owned by Dan Gilbert.

Gilbert took to social media to spread the word about their security photos.

Craig reports:

Someone close to the investigation tells 7 Action News that two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old have been questioned about the incident and each has confessed.


Earlier July 1:

Dan Gilbert is coming after taggers.

Gilbert sent a memo to employees in hopes of tracking down three young women who were spray painting graffiti on the side of the 1001 Woodward building, Steve Neavling reports at Motor City Muckraker. 

“Unfortunately, once in a great while, degenerates who don’t ‘get it’ crawl out of their deep, dark holes and try to ruin it for the rest of us who take pride in and deeply care about our city,” Gilbert wrote in a letter to employees that included surveillance images of the three women. He urged them to put the photos on social media to generate tips. 

Women were spotted spray-painting “Izzy,” “bitch,” “fuck” and “Welcome to Detroit” on the alley side of the building, Neavling posts. Gilbert offers a reward for productive information.

“I am personally offering a reward to cover the ‘entire cost to paint your home’ (or apartment) the next time you need a fresh coat either on the inside or outside (or both) for any information that you provide that leads to the apprehension and arrest of these three fine ‘ladies,’” Gilbert wrote.

A lot of solid tips flowed in, according to Metro Times. which prints this note from Gilbert:

Wow, our team members are truly the best, most high-level folks around. We received several strong leads in a matter of minutes!

We have identified the suspects and we are working with law enforcement regarding next steps.

Thank you all for your eyeballs, awareness and heart!

Dan G.

Sentencing sequel

Each suburban teen agreed in late August to perform 60 hours of community service and pay a total of $2,000 in restitution, plus court costs. Their community service includes graffiti removal in Detroit.  


From left: Mackenzie Snitgen, 17; Esabella Meteer, 18; Mary Harder, 17.


Read more:  Motor City Muckraker


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