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July 8, 2008 - 9:18PM
Updated: July 8, 2008 - 11:58PM

Mesa police probe negative graffiti of Arpaio

Eddi Trevizo, Tribune

Several graffiti images depicting Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in an extremely negative light have sparked an investigation by Mesa police.

Reasonable Doubt: A look into Arpaio’s immigration campaign

Mesa removes negative graffiti of Arpaio

The graffiti images of the sheriff's face with the words "Nazi Joe" and "Voodoo" sprayed above them were found in four different locations Monday morning near MacDonald and Main Street in Mesa, police said.

According to authorities, a business owner in the area saw the graffiti and contacted the Downtown Mesa Association, a nongovernmental service organization dedicated to assisting local businesses.

The city has already painted over the images, officials said.

Mesa police were not contacted initially, but authorities said thatis generally the case with graffiti crimes because it's difficult to consign criminal charges.

Mesa police retracted a statement made late Monday night in which they said they would not be investigating the graffiti.

In a statement made Tuesday afternoon, police said that the unique nature of the graffiti has prompted an investigation.

Authorities said that because the incident involved an elected official, they decided to investigate.

Anyone with information regarding the graffiti is asked to contact the Mesa Police Department at (480) 644-2211.

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