RYE — Police Chief Kevin Walsh is warning those attracted to spray painting graffiti on state park property that they will be caught and arrested.

RYE — Police Chief Kevin Walsh is warning those attracted to spray painting graffiti on state park property that they will be caught and arrested.



The stern warning stems from a string of arrests tied to illegal acts committed at Odiorne Point State Park over a span of 19 hours beginning at about 1 a.m. Monday. Since that time, four adults and two juveniles have been arrested on charges of criminal mischief and criminal trespassing.



Walsh said officers arrived at Odiorne Park to find two individuals at a bunker on the property early Monday morning, with spray cans in hand. The two adults tried to flee, but were apprehended and arrested.



Michael Grenier, 22, of 18 Pinewood Drive, Stratham, and Mark Barlow, 24, of 310 Jones Ave., Portsmouth, were both arrested on charges alleging criminal mischief, criminal trespass, resisting arrest and having an open container of alcohol.



Although the bunkers are sealed shut with steel doors, Walsh said it has been a recurring problem that individuals use what he believes are torches to cut through the walls of the bunker and create a small entrance.



"If you're climbing through a hole in the wall, that's your clue," he advised.

Then, later that same day, after sunset, four more people were found at the same bunker "doing the same thing." This time, the group came equipped with a bevy of tools. Walsh said they had a sledgehammer, crowbar, machete, several knives and surgical masks in addition to cans of spray paint.



Charged with criminal trespassing were Zachary Pace, 21, of 35 Boush St., Kittery, Maine, and Brittany Sherman, 19, of 1062 Mood Road, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. One juvenile was charged with criminal mischief.



Walsh said not only is spray painting inside the bunker dangerous because of the lack of ventilation, but the graffiti itself has caused thousands of dollars in damage over the years.



"It's a constant problem," he said. "The state has spent significant amounts of money in order to clean it up. People complain about high taxes. If they didn't do these things, the state wouldn't have to spend so much."



Walsh said although individuals may want to "show off" their graffiti talents, Odiorne Park "is not the place for it."

Parents, Walsh said, need to be aware of their children's plans each night.



"I realize it's hard to know where your kids are all the time, but ask questions before and after they go out," he said. "It's your responsibility to know where they are."



Walsh also said it is helpful to check the front and back seats of their cars for any evidence of illegal activity.



The Police Department will continue to monitor the many state parks in town and will keep making arrests. Police are also partnering with other local communities to compare graffiti and track down repeat offenders.



"If they have a tendency to do this over and over, it's coming," he warned of an arrest.



Odiorne Point State Park is off limits to the public from dusk until dawn.