Graffiti Artist Caught (and His Work Cleaned Off) Even Before He Left Town

Schulenburg Police arrested a 33-year-old man on Monday for painting graffiti on the side of St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.

The graffiti appeared on the north wall of the St. Rose School Annex building on Sunday morning, Jan. 29. Schulenburg Police Chief Troy Brenek said the vandalism occurred sometime the night before.

Brenek said a local citizen found a photo of the graffiti on an Instagram account belonging to a graffiti artist. Police tracked down the man with the account, 33-year-old Francisco Domingo of Laredo, who works as a truck driver. Brenek said Domingo was in town making a delivery to a business. On Monday, Jan. 30, officers located Domingo in an 18-wheeler that was parked at The Texan Convenience Store in Schulenburg. Brenek said Domingo confessed and was taken into custody Monday afternoon.

Police arrested Domingo on a charge of graffiti, which was enhanced to a felony because the target was a school.

Brenek praised the citizen whose internet sleuthing brought the perpetrator to justice.

The vandal’s mark didn’t last long on the wall. Several volunteers from the school arrived early Sunday morning to clean up the mess. They included Slade and Sandy Kusy along with their children Rilee and Jewelee, Darren Kunz, Ryan Wotipka, Miguel Camacho and Robert and Wendy Herzik.

“We are very appreciative and grateful,” said St. Rose Principal Rosanne Gallia. “We feel blessed for the wonderful people we have at St. Rose.”

Gallia said St. Rose was hosting an open house pancake breakfast for the beginning of Catholic Schools Week on Sunday morning when they discovered the vandalism.

“I got here at 7 a.m. and Sandy (Kusy) was already emailing people who were willing to clean it up and get it done right away,” Gallia said.

“My first thought was, ‘How soon can I start removing it?’ said Slade Kusy. “My family has a lot of history with St. Rose and we take a lot of pride in St. Rose and in the community. I couldn’t just sit and let the criminals trash and disgrace my children’s school.”

Kusy said he called Gallia and Brenek, who both gave him the OK to remove the graffiti. The team of volunteers showed up with a pressure washer and cleaning supplies.

“I was just thinking, ‘The criminals are not going to win. We will remove this quicker than they put it up,’” Kusy said. “It’s sad that we had to spend the time doing this, but it was very rewarding to see people willing to help.”

The volunteers finished the clean-up before noon on Sunday.