HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Hanover Township Police Officer Eric Prach arrested Mr. Michael Stango, 29, Whippany, charging him with criminal mischief, on Friday, January 17.
Officer Prach had been investigating several criminal mischief (graffiti) incidents involving the word “stoop kid” that had been showing up all over town as well as in Morristown and East Hanover.
Officer Prach had documented over 184 incident involving graffiti using either a black marker or stickers damaging town property since May of 2018. The total cost of damage was estimated to be approximately $10,000.00.
On December 8, 2019, Officer Prach received information that a “Stoop Kid” sticker was recently placed on a garage can in the front of the Dunkin Donuts in East Hanover and a time frame was established for when the sticker was placed there.
After hours of reviewing the surveillance video, an individual was observed driving a work truck, with clear markings, placing what appeared to be the sticker in question on the garbage can. Officer Prach was able to track the truck back to the company and was able to identify the driver of that truck which matched the actor observed in the video.
Mr. Stango was asked to come in for an interview and did so. At the completion of the interview, Mr. Stango was charged with criminal mischief and was released pending his court date.
