Nelson Cruz, 24, of Evanston, has been sentenced to two years in prison following a felony conviction for vandalizing CTA property.
At approximately 11:55 p.m., December 13, 2007, Cruz was arrested by Forest Park Police after a CTA employee observed Cruz spray painting a CTA rail car that was under repair. Spray paint cans, nozzles and a receipt for paint were recovered at the scene.
Cruz pleaded guilty to Criminal Defacement of Property – a Class 4 felony – and was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
"Acts of vandalism on CTA property cost the agency millions of dollars each year in repairs and divert resources away from improving the system," said CTA President Ron Huberman. "We will continue to aggressively pursue legal action against those who vandalize CTA property."
The arrest of Cruz was a collaborative effort between the Chicago Transit Authority and the Forest Park Police.
The CTA intends to seek restitution for damages.
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