Tooele police have arrested an individual believed to be connected to eight incidences of graffiti that have popped up throughout the city recently.

In early January, surveillance cameras on the Tooele County Health Department caught a maroon and tan Ford Explorer fleeing the area after the letters “BTS” had been spray-painted on an electrical box on the west side of the building, according to Lt. Paul Wimmer of the Tooele City Police Department.

Police later issued a bulletin throughout the department asking officers to watch for a vehicle fitting the description.

On the morning of Jan. 9, a maroon and tan Ford Explorer was spotted at the 7-Eleven convenience store on Tooele’s Main Street and a patrol officer made contact with the driver, a 17-year-old Tooele resident. Upon doing so the officer noticed spray paint cans in the vehicle and conducted a search, which revealed a stolen handgun, according to Wimmer.

The juvenile was then taken next door to the police department for questioning, where he confessed to eight separate graffiti incidences — all of which included the letters “MOS,” “BTS,” or “NRK.”

“He hit both commercial and residential areas,” Wimmer said. “But most of it happened in Overlake.”

Wimmer said most of the taggings were relatively small, but on at least one occasion the teen had decorated an entire fence. All of the incidences took place at night.

Penalties for graffiti depend on the extent of the damage and the money required to clean up the paint. Wimmer said that amount hasn’t been tallied yet in this case, but he expects it to be over $1,000 — meaning the teen could face third-degree felony charges.

“This arrest is big for us,” Wimmer said. “Graffiti is very hard to follow up on because very seldom is there any evidence. Very rarely do we have a vehicle description to go on or anything else. Residents really need to keep an eye out. Be aware that these guys are out all the time.”

The case has now been referred to juvenile court.

Jamie Belnap: jamieb@tooeletranscript.com