A self-proclaimed graffiti artist who was featured in the Morning News for his work was arrested Thursday in connection with graffiti found on several city street signs and businesses.
Ryan Joseph Davis, 28, of 506 B Winston St. in Florence faces 23 counts of illegal graffiti vandalism, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said.
Davis was arrested in connection with crimes that happened between April 3 and Thursday, said Florence Police Sgt. Tim Compton, an investigator working the case.
On Sunday, a video surveillance camera captured images of the suspect defacing a building at 505 W. Palmetto St., Raines said.
Police received a copy of the video from the business owner Wednesday and took Davis into custody Thursday.
“What we got right now is just the tip of the iceberg,” Compton said.
Police have several incident reports of graffiti on businesses that might ultimately be linked to Davis.
Davis said his work can be identified by the presence of his signature, or “tag,” which are the letters “RX.”
Police said the suspect is also known to use the word “Poem” as a tag.
“He feels like he’s an artist,” Compton said. “He crosses the line when he does it to somebody’s business without permission.”
In an article published in the Morning News on June 7, Davis said he paints alleyways and business facades and interiors of downtown Florence.
Davis also said he always asks permission from local businesses before beginning a project.
Before appearing in the news story, Davis was arrested by Florence Police for trespassing, Raines said.
Police saw the suspect and several others near a CSX box car and asked what they were doing, Raines said.
The suspects said they were there to admire some graffiti that was already on the cars, even though police found spray paint and other equipment on their persons, he said.
“They had all the equipment to do something themselves, but they say they were there looking,” Raines said.
Illegal graffiti is a misdemeanor in the South Carolina.
Repeat offenders may be ordered by a court to remove the vandalism or pay for it to be removed.
Davis remains in custody at the Florence County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
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