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Four Young Women Arrested for Spray Painting Downtown Businesses, Boone Police Car

BPD
Clockwise, starting at top left: Julia Grainger, Elizabeth Prier, Taryn Bledsoe, Hannah Seay

On Jan. 21, 2017, shortly before 4 a.m., several subjects started vandalizing buildings in downtown Boone. The subjects traveled east along King Street and continued spray painting buildings, signs, and a police car with anti-police and anti-Trump slogans. Tsunami surveillance video of the subjects was release through High Country Crime Stoppers.

As a result of the investigation, four individuals were arrested today. The arrestees are:

  • Taryn Bledsoe, 22, white female of North Street, Boone 
  • Julia Grainger, 22, white female of Howard Street, Boone
  • Elizabeth Prier, 22, white female of Howard Street, Boone
  • Hannah Seay, 21, white female of Eric Lane, Boone

Each of the arrestees was charged with 7 counts of Misdemeanor Graffiti Vandalism and 1 count of Misdemeanor Damage to Personal Property. Each received a $1,500 secured bond pending a March 1, 2017, appearance in Watauga District Court.

“I stated this case was a priority for us. Thanks to the involvement of citizens who came forward, we resolved this case in short order. I applaud the community for their overwhelming response. I would also like to thank High Country Crime Stoppers for their invaluable service.” – Dana Crawford, Chief of Police

Investigators worked diligently to solve these incidents. Final estimated damage totaled $10,000.

“We took this case very seriously. Our detectives worked very long hours each day of this investigation, even working through the night, at one point. These hours were spent locating evidence, conducting interviews and eventually gaining confessions from each of these individuals,” said Chris Hatton, Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations Davison with the Boone Police Department. 

Tips from the public through High Country Crime Stoppers ultimately led to the incidents being solved.

“This is a fine example of the partnership High Country Crime Stoppers shares with the public and law enforcement to make our community better. The response to the Tsunami system videos was superb,” said  Boone Police Department Sgt. Shane Robbins, who is also High Country Crime Stoppers Watauga County Coordinator. 

High Country Crime Stoppers pays rewards for information, which leads to arrests; recovery of stolen property; seizure of drugs and the location of wanted persons. Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125 or the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900. You may also submit a Crime Stoppers Tip via our website at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1251 or Text “NCTIP plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential.