Cape police arrest three teenagers on graffiti charges

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

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

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

Menz was charged with one count of property damage; his bond was set at $1,000 cash only. Abernathy and Menz were together when they were arrested on suspicion of spray-painting near the drainage walls at Marietta and Vickie streets, 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.