Australian tagger accused of vandalizing BART trains, targeted 'Fleet of the Future' car

Matthew Raoul White, 33, was arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a number of BART trains in early December. Matthew Raoul White, 33, was arrested on suspicion of vandalizing a number of BART trains in early December. Photo: San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Photo: San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Australian tagger accused of vandalizing BART trains, targeted 'Fleet of the Future' car 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A suspected member of an Australian graffiti crew is in police custody after being accused of vandalizing a number of BART cars, BART officials said.

Matthew Raoul White, 33, is suspected of tagging at least seven BART cars over a number of days in early December.

The cars were located at BART facilities across both San Mateo and Contra Costa counties when they were vandalized, and White is even suspected of going after BART's new "Fleet of the Future" cars in one such instance, said BART communications officer Chris Filippi.

White is believed to be a part of graffiti crew Get Hectik, and has previously been ordered to pay more than $7,000 in fines for spray painting Transperth trains in Australia in 2011 and 2012, PerthNow reported. White and two others were also apparently arrested in New York in 2016 for allegedly breaking into a Bronx train depot while on a "spraycation" abroad.

The graffiti found on BART's trains were apparently recognized by authorities in New York City and Australia as part of the graffiti crew's work and a warrant was issued for White, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. Damage to BART's cars are believed to be between $7,000 and $10,000.

White was arrested Dec. 28 by federal customs officials at San Francisco International Airport as he waited to board a flight to Sydney, and allegedly was found with spray paint on his clothing. Filippi said the investigation is still active and BART police are looking into whether White is involved with other incidents of vandalism.

White is currently charged with two counts of felony vandalism and is being held on $400,000 bail in San Mateo County. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 10.

Read Dianne de Guzman's latest stories and send her news tips at ddeguzman@sfchronicle.com.

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