Three Waukesha men are facing charges for a string of graffiti incidents across the northwest side of Waukesha spanning about one year.
Thomas J. Albers, 18, Omar T. Hassan, 18, both of Waukesha, and Siddique A. Quershi, of Tucson, Ariz., were charged in on Thursday with 16 total counts of graffiti. If convicted, Albers could face up to 18 months in prison and $20,000 in fines, Quershi could face up to 4-½ years in prison and $60,000 in fines and Hassan faces up to six years in prison and $80,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint:
The trio went on a graffiti spree since April 2011 where they would write “Swiz,” “Miles,” “Shakezz” and “Squid,” which is associated with “tribe” graffiti. Between April 25 and July 31 there were more than 14 criminal complaints associated with the group.
There was a hiatus with the graffiti until January where it started again with six complaints. On Jan. 26 a Waukesha police officer on patrol spotted graffiti on the Padds Apartments sign in the 2600 block of Pebble Valley Road.
The paint was still wet and there were fresh footprints in the snow. A woman contacted police who said her son might have information related to the incident.
When interviewed, the son told officers he was out tagging with Hassan when they decided to tag the apartment sign. Police then looked in his room where they found the names “Tribe” and “Squid” written on the wall.
Police were then able to trace the graffiti back to the three suspects.
The three suspects will make their initial appearance in court May 21.
