Guilderland police on Monday, May 16, arrested a man they say spray painted graffiti on the Christ the King Church on Sumter Avenue in Guilderland the night before Easter.
Andrew R. Alsante, 20, of 11 Tyler Court, Guilderland, was charged with criminal mischief in the third degree, aggravated harassment in the first degree (for allegedly committing the crime on the grounds of a church), both felonies, and five misdemeanor counts of making graffiti.
The other graffiti charges stem from other instances around the town police say Alsante was responsible for at the 20 Mall, Heritage Village Apartments , Brandywine Apartments and Hanna Restaurant.
Police said Alsante has admitted to all the above crimes.
Captain Curtis Cox of the Guilderland Police Department said the graffiti was never specifically targeted at any of the institutions.
It’s just a matter of convenience, the location of his house, Cox said. `He didn’t indicate any bad feelings towards the church.`
Police said Alsante had been tagging for about six months before his arrest and used the tag `Arttech` for his interest in art and computers. Media attention towards the church vandalism and several tips from members of the community led the investigation to Alsante, police said.“
