CLAY COUNTY – After finding no solid leads, the Clay County Sherriff’s Department has inactivated an investigation into a string of bizarre and symbol-laden graffiti vandalism incidents that have defaced property in the county’s northern portion for the past several months.

The case is not closed and can be reactivated as soon as investigators find additional evidence.

The most recent incident was on July 20 when private and public properties were damaged in Orange Park. Sgt. Zachary Cox first observed the graffiti spray paint at 2 p.m., on the traffic control box owned by the Department of Transportation at the intersection of Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard.

That was just the beginning. Deputies found more graffiti at the Orange Park Mall. The same purple-spray paint logo was painted on two separate light poles – one with a circular logo design, the other with star, planet and moon, ordained with the words “Super Gotcha M2N.”

The brand of vandalism, defined by the purple spray paint and a heart and star logo, has been spray-painted onto multiple businesses, traffic boxes and light posts over the last six months, according to the sheriff’s office. A potential suspect did meet in the parking lot with deputies, but the individual provided a Lyft receipt showing travel from Jacksonville to St. Johns County. 

“The heart-star logo design is interlocked with each other as one symbol,” deputy Patrick McFetridge wrote in a redacted incident report. Along with that wild series of star-ridden graffiti vandalism incidents, another publicly-owned property was tagged by vandals at the overpass of Plantation Oaks Boulevard over State Road 23 at 4000 Plantation Oaks Boulevard late last month.

By the time deputy Matthew Edmonson discovered the wall had been heavily spray painted by numerous forms of graffiti,” that “appeared to be spray painted by numerous individuals on both the north and south side of the retaining walls,” on July 26, several months could have already passed. 

“There are numerous weeds and foliage grown over the graffiti, which would lead me to believe it has been there for at least several months,” Edmonson wrote in his report.

The vandals, who left behind the graffiti with random and discernible patterns, did not leave behind names or specific brands, which would have potentially helped provide a lead to a possible suspect. However, they did leave behind graffiti in numerous colors with famous juvenile cultural markings such as smiley faces, penises, cartoon characters, and phrases such as “Class of 2023” and “Deez Nuts.” 

This time, public property was once again the victim. The County Roads Department owns a portion of the wall, while the State Turnpike Authority owns the other part of the road.

After observing the crime scene, Edmonson quickly reached out to the County Public Works Department, advising that a work order be requested to have it painted over. The representative said the graffiti would be removed. 

Due to a lack of evidence, the case is considered inactive until new leads are established. The investigation can be reopened.

In the meantime, the sheriff’s office, county officials and the Turnpike Authority have talked to address the incident. The criminals acted in Alexandra Compere’s district, which quickly addressed the issue. She mentioned the criminal activity at the county commissioners’ meeting on July 27.

During commissioners’ comments, Compere said she was inundated with phone calls, texts and social media messages from her constituents. She expressed her disappointment in the actions, sharing the shame with the community.

“Anytime someone defaces public property, that’s unacceptable. It’s frustrating because (the suspects) just need a creative outlet,” she said.

During the Aug. 8 commissioner’s meeting, Compere provided an update.

“The Turnpike Authority has let us know that it is scheduled for cleaning, and their portion of the wall would be handled, leaving a time frame for the end of the month, as well as the end of the week for the county’s portion of the wall,” Compere said.

She talked with Sherriff Michelle Cook and the Turnpike Authority.

“I’m thankful for swift action on this, and there were quite a few collaborators on this,” she said.