Buffalo Grove man accused of painting racist graffiti in Arlington Heights

A Buffalo Grove man has been charged with 14 felony counts related to racist graffiti found at multiple Arlington Heights locations.

According to the Arlington Heights Police Department, 20-year-old Josiah J. Biewer of Buffalo Grove has been charged with seven counts of committing a hate crime and seven counts of criminal damage to government-supported property in string of graffiti-related incidents from May 31 to Tuesday.

Arlington Heights police arrested Biewer early Tuesday after staking out Lake Arlington Park, which had been struck by graffiti three previous times. Officers noticed a blue Honda speeding away from the scene with its lights off, then found fresh graffiti.

Officers traced the Honda's vehicle registration to Biewer's home, and he admitted his involvement, police said.

In addition to Lake Arlington Park, the Davis Street pedestrian underpass and the Vail Street parking garage also were sprayed with graffiti, which was removed.

Biewer has a bond hearing Thursday in Rolling Meadows.