Ronkonkoma Man Charged with Making Graffiti

A Ronkonkoma man was arrested for spraying graffiti tags in Suffolk County.

Ryan Atkinson, 25, of Lakeside Dr., was charged with seven counts of making graffiti, according to Suffolk Police.

He met with Taylor S. Schotter, 25, of Selden, at a graffiti taggers Website and coordinated their activities through online communications.

Sixth Precinct Crime Section Officers conducted an investigation into graffiti tagging in the area after a proliferation of the specific tags "ROBO" and "KEANU." These tags were placed on roadway and railway overpasses, buildings, road signs and fences. A request for assistance through Crime Stoppers produced an anonymous tip that led to the identity of the two graffiti suspects, police said.

Schotter was responsible for the tag "ROBO" and Atkinson was responsible for the tag "KEANU."

Schotter was charged with four counts of Making Graffiti and released on station house bail with a future court date in November.

Atkinson was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip and remanded to Riverhead Correctional Facility pending payment of bail.

Due to damages made to property belonging to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, officers of the Sixth Precinct Police are coordinating their investigation with the MTA Police.  Additional charges are anticipated and the investigation is continuing.