CRIME BLOTTER

Prolific graffiti tagger arrested twice last year faces charges

Oct 7, 2025, 3:30 PM

drunk driver parkland...

A close up of a Washington State Patrol vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)

(Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) arrested a prolific graffiti tagger in Pierce County.

Investigators said he is responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in damage and cleanup. He was arrested twice last year.

His tags can be seen all over—on private property, on public property, along roads and highways, all over Pierce County.

His name is Tony Lim, 46, and following his arrest last weekend, he’s expected to face misdemeanor and felony charges, including malicious mischief.

Prolific graffiti tagger causes over $30,000 in cleanup costs

“Total cost of cleanup, as of the date of arrest, was upwards of $32,000,” WSP Trooper Kameron Watts said.

Cleanup on public property is paid for by taxpayers. And it’s even more expensive when you consider private cleanup by private businesses and private citizens.

“When you’re talking public property, it’s public dollars that have to be spent in order to clean these messes up,” Watts said. “That’s money that could otherwise go to things that people care for.”

Follow James Lynch on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Crime Blotter

spokane wildfire arson...

Charlie Harger

Harger: A killer. Medium to high risk. Questioned about arson 3 times. 2 states had his file. Hundreds of homes in Spokane are gone.

The situation in Spokane is hard to believe. A man has been arrested and is being held on suspicion of starting the biggest of those three fires.

1 hour ago

human remains fire judkins park...

Jason Sutich

Brush fire near Judkins Park leads to discovery of human remains, ‘suspicious death’ probe

A driver on the interstate spotted a fire in a greenbelt area near Judkins Park, leading to the discovery of human remains on Wednesday night.

2 hours ago

2 cold case project hit-and-run...

James Lynch

Cold Case Project: Renewed call for tips in 20-year-old hit-and-run, suspect identified

Twenty years after a 19-year-old man was struck and killed in a hit-and-run, Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound is renewing its call for information.

2 hours ago

SWAT standoff Kent...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Suspect in multiple shootings dies by apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during SWAT standoff

A 20-year-old suspected in at least two shootings died by suicide in a SWAT standoff in Kent while officers were trying to arrest him. According to Kent PD, the man was believed to have been involved in a drive-by shooting at a Tacoma Walmart on Tuesday night. Tacoma officers were trying to arrest a shoplifting suspect […]

11 hours ago

seattle hate crime attack...

Jason Sutich

2 victims pin down suspect after hate crime attack in downtown Seattle

A 40-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly injured two men in a hate crime attack late Tuesday night in downtown Seattle.

14 hours ago

puyallup white prison gang...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘Flooding our streets with poison’: Puyallup man tied to white prison gangs sentenced to 11 years

A Puyallup man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role as a narcotic distributor for a drug trafficking organization tied to white prison gangs.

16 hours ago

Prolific graffiti tagger arrested twice last year faces charges