Police Investigate Vandalism That Advocates Killing Cops
BROOKLYN, Md. (WJZ) -- Anne Arundel County Police are investigating after the Ritchie Highway Shopping Center was vandalized. The vandalism advocated killing police officers.
Meghan McCorkell reports for WJZ.
According to police, three separate walls of the shopping center were spray painted "Killing AAC Cops Coming Soon."
There was a directional sign spray-painted with "Kill Cops" on Hammonds Lane, as well.
Investigators say a man has confessed to painted it, and officers say it was the support of the community that led to an arrest in this case.
"Every day, law enforcement officers put on a uniform and a badge," said Lt. Ryan Frashure of Anne Arundel County Police. "Unfortunately, in today's society they feel like they're a target -- whether they're on duty or off duty."
Detectives tracked 26-year-old Zachary Shanor after going through surveillance video and speaking to witnesses.
As police were investigating Shanor, they found more graffiti in the street, right around he corner from his listed address.
Shanor had already been in police custody on a shoplifting charge, and he confessed to officers that he was behind the vandalism.
Angela Greco, his mother, said, "I kind of read about it online and thought, 'Who did that?' And then to find out -- it's crazy."
Her grandfather, who lives in the house with them, says he hopes this is a wake-up call.
"If they got him locked up," her grandfather, Steve Lease, said, "maybe he'll get some treatment while he is there."
Shanor now faces six counts of malicious destruction of property.
Investigators do not believe Shanor intended to follow through on his threats and say he was very apologetic.