Thousands of dollars in paint and vandalism materials were seized during the search of a graffiti vandal’s home in the Centennial Neighborhood.
On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) assigned to Central Precinct, with assistance from the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Strategic Services and Prosecution Unit and Unit A at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, served a search warrant at a home in the 1800 block of Southeast 174th Avenue in the Centennial Neighborhood. James S. Fischel, who is responsible for GIMER (Graffiti Is Me Escaping Reality) tags across the city and supplying graffiti vandals with supplies, resides at the home. During the service of the search warrant, more than 1,500 cans of spray paint totaling more than $10,000 was seized.
The investigation into 40-year-old Fischel began in mid-May when Officers Nathan Kirby-Glatkowski and Amelia Flohr were alerted to a YouTube-published docuseries called CHAOSTOWN. An episode titled ‘Portland is losing the graffiti war’ features Fischel, who went to great lengths to try to conceal his identity. Ultimately, Officers Kirby-Glatkowski and Flohr positively identified Fischel and the home where he stashes his abundant supply of spray paint, or as Fischel called it in the docuseries, “every graffiti writer’s fantasy.”
While Fischel is currently out of the area, law enforcement is aware of his location and pursuing criminal charges. Central NRT is continuing active investigations into this case and other graffiti vandalism cases in the city. Anyone with information on vandals is asked to email tips to investigators at crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Central NRT.
Photo description: Spray paint seized during search warrant
Photo description: Law enforcement searching garage
Photo description: Assortment of tips for spray paint cans
Photo description: GIMER canvas print seized during search warrant
Photo description: Officer briefing before search
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