Accused Taggers Caught 'Red-Handed' by Observant Cops

Taggers who marked up a retaining wall at the corner of Southwest Highway and Highwood Drive left behind a few telltale signs that led police right to a pair of arrests.

Orland Park police responding to a report of gang graffiti found the morning of May 18, and  found two spray cans as well as a pair of shoes at the scene. The investigation led to a hardware store in Homer Glen, according to the report.

At the Ace Hardware store, police obtained surveillance footage and a receipt for the paint cans. One investigator recognized one of the men on the tape as Michael J. McConville, 20, of the 11800 block of Greenfield Drive in Orland Park. Another investigator recognized the other as William J. Connelly, 20, of the 14000 block of Camden Drive in Orland Park.

McConville was stopped and picked up by police on Greenfield Drive on May 18. According to the report, McConville had stains on his hands and shoes consistent with spray paint. 

Connelly was brought in some time later with similar stains.

The damage the men caused was estimated near $3,000. Assistant State's Attorney Peter O'Mara approved felony charges for criminal defacement to property for both men.

The two appeared in the Bridgeview Courthouse May 19.

Police report information is provided by law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.