Graffiti artist leaves mark on Arlington Hts.

For the past three weeks, the same graffiti marks have appeared on several prominent Arlington Heights buildings.

Police are still looking for the culprit or culprits, according to Cmdr. Ken Galinski of the Arlington Heights Police Department.

"We're pretty sure kids are behind this," he said about the markings which started to appear Dec. 7. "We're talking to the juvenile (police) officers in the high schools, but it's tough right now because the kids are out of school."

The spray-painted markings are in all different colors and usually include the initials "OFL," Galinski said.

The marks are not gang related, he said.

The graffiti first appeared on the walls of the parking garage on South Evergreen Avenue in downtown Arlington Heights. The most recent markings were found Wednesday at South Middle School, Galinski said. A business on the 2600 block of South Clearbrook Drive and the hockey rink walls at Heritage and Pioneer parks have also been hit, he said.

The Vail Avenue garage also has been targeted, Galinski said.

"It's just a nuisance and there's no reason for it," he said.

According to village ordinance, graffiti has to be cleaned up right away. It's the responsibility of the property owner, Galinski said.

When the graffiti artists are found, they'll probably be charged with several counts of criminal damage to property, Galinski said.