12/19/07
A Chicago man, Michael Kaput, 24, of the 5100 block of North Lotus Avenue, has been convicted on felony charges for vandalizing CTA property. Appearing in a Maywood courtroom, Kaput was found guilty of felony criminal defacement and trespass and sentenced to two years felony probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the CTA in the amount of $1,903.
?We spend approximately $4.3 million annually to clean up graffiti and replace etched glass on vehicles and in facilities. That money is desperately needed to support operations, not repair damage," said CTA President Ron Huberman. ?We have been successful in securing felony convictions for vandalism on the system and will continue to aggressively pursue and convict all offenders."
The arrest of Kaput was a collaborative effort between the Chicago Transit Authority and the Forest Park Police.
At approximately 2:31 a.m. October 29, 2007, Kaput was arrested by Forest Park Police after a CTA manager observed Kaput painting a mural on a parked CTA rail car.
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