Cape Girardeau police arrest 3 in graffiti cases

Three teens were arrested this week for their connection to 14 incidents of property damage in Cape Girardeau, according to police.

Austin A. Abernathy, 17, Derek W. Menz, 19, and a 16-year-old male, all of Cape Girardeau, were charged with allegedly using spray paint graffiti to deface walls at various locations in the city.

Abernathy faces one count of property damage and his bond was set at $1,500 cash-only. Abernathy was charged on June 8 with nine counts of property damage.

Menz was charged with one count of property damage and his bond was set at $1,000 cash-only. Abernathy and Menz were together when they were arrested for spray painting near the drainage walls at Marietta and Vickie Street, according to a news release from the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

The juvenile was charged with 12 counts of property damage in incidents that occurred from Oct. 14 to Nov. 12. He had allegedly used the "tag" "RE-UP" or "DOC."