2 graffiti vandals caught in act

Two men were arrested Sunday evening after troopers allegedly spotted them spray painting a concrete wall in the area of Prices Corner, state police said today.

Lee LePore, 20, of Deer Run Road in Townsend, and Philip Wadsley, 21, of Decoy Way in Newark, were each charged with graffiti vandalism, possession of graffiti implements, resisting arrest and conspiracy, all misdemeanors. Both were issued a criminal summons and released.

Troopers were on foot near the Kirkwood Highway overpass by Greenbank Road shortly before 7 p.m. when they allegedly saw the men spraying graffiti on a wall, said state police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh.

As the troopers approached, the men attempted to flee but were caught after a brief chase and were found to have a backpack with multiple cans of spray paint, he said.