Several graffiti images depicting Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in an extremely negative light have sparked an investigation from Mesa police.
The graffiti images of the sheriff’s face with the words “Nazi Joe” and “Voodoo” sprayed above them were found in four different locations Monday morning near MacDonald and Main Street in Mesa, police said.
According to authorities, a business owner in the area saw the graffiti and contacted the Downtown Mesa Association, a non-governmental service organization dedicated to assisting local businesses. The city painted over the images, officials said.
Mesa police were not contacted initially, but authorities said that is generally the case with graffiti crimes because it’s difficult to consign criminal charges. Mesa police retracted a statement made late Monday night in which they said they would not be investigating the graffiti.
In a statement made Tuesday afternoon police said that the unique nature of the graffiti has prompted an investigation.Authorities said because the incident involved an elected official they decided to investigate.
Anyone with information regarding the graffiti is asked to contact Mesa Police at 480-644-2211.
What a way to back step that one!