Snapchat helps police catch ‘prolific’ Santa Rosa tagger: PD

(KRON) — A “prolific” tagger responsible for graffiti at various locations in Sonoma County was arrested in Rohnert Park on Aug. 21, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

The suspect, 23-year-old Fabian Manriquez Lopez, and his alleged accomplice, 20-year-old Alexis Smith, both from Santa Rosa, now face vandalism and conspiracy charges. The pair was arrested after the Santa Rosa Police Department used Snapchat to investigate $10,000 in graffiti-related damages in the region.

“As part of the investigation, PCI detectives authored search warrants for two Snapchat social media accounts,” SRPD said. “Those search warrants revealed significant digital evidence including videos and images of vandalism occurring and details to clearly identify the account users.”

Evidence shows that Lopez was primarily responsible for the tagging and Smith filmed the crimes, SRPD said. The areas damaged by the graffiti include the Santa Rosa Plaza parking garage, Sierra Meadows Park, Stanislaus Drive in Santa Rosa and the Forest Hills-Hacienda Bridge in Forestville.

“In recent years, platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok have become central to how offenders document and promote their work,” SRPD said. “These individuals often record themselves actively committing graffiti vandalism or pose in front of freshly painted pieces to demonstrate their skill and show off their work.”

Although some tagging is done as an act of artistic expression, graffiti is illegal and causes costly damages to property, police said.

“Public infrastructure, small businesses, and residential properties are frequently targeted, leaving property owners with the responsibility and financial burden of removing or painting over the vandalism,” SRPD said. “Many surfaces require professional cleaning services or sandblasting, especially when spray paint is applied to porous materials like brick or concrete.”