WINTHROP — Winthrop and Massachusetts State Police have identified a Middleton man as the person who repeatedly vandalized a sign on Winthrop Beach with a vulgar phrase and have summonsed the suspect to court to face criminal charges.
The sign, owned by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and located at 254 Winthrop Shore Drive, was tagged with a heavy marker on multiple dates, typically early on Sunday mornings, from August through October.
Winthrop Police Detectives obtained camera footage showing the suspect committing the crime and arriving and leaving from the area on foot. On October 24, an investigator identified the suspect as MARK EVANS, AGE 61, OF MIDDLETON.
“Crimes like these have a direct negative impact on the quality of life of our residents, which is why we take them very seriously,” Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty said. “I want to thank our officers and our partners at the Massachusetts State Police for their considerable effort in identifying and holding this individual responsible for his alleged actions.”
Winthrop Police shared the evidence and identification with the State Police-Revere Barracks, which has jurisdiction over DCR property. A Trooper contacted EVANS and arranged an interview of the suspect, which was conducted on Oct. 28 at the barracks.
Following the interview, and statements made by EVANS, police informed him he was being summonsed to appear in East Boston District Court on criminal charges of tagging property and malicious destruction of property under $1,200.
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