Greencastle graffiti vandal found and arrested

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As reported by the Banner Graphic, the suspect in local church vandalism from the Aug. 14 incidents has turned himself into police as of Wednesday.

According to the Banner Graphic, Shea Tahtinen was wanted on charges of criminal mischief and possession of child pornography.

Tahtinen was the only suspect in the Aug. 14 vandalism of three Greencastle churches. Gobin United Methodist, First Southern Baptist and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church were spray-painted with anti-christian graffiti such as “Die with your false God” and “God hates you.”

Similar graffiti was found on a dumpster behind Bloomington Street Hall several days later as discovered by Public Safety.

On Aug. 21 a warrant was released for Tahtinen for three counts of a Class A misdemeanor and two counts of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Detective Sgt. Michelle Collins conducted a forensic search via search warrant of Tahtinen’s cell phone on Aug. 16. Collins discovered a video of two small boys taking part in a sexual act.

There were also videos of Tahtinen burning a Bible in a church parking lot, several Islamic torture videos, animal cruelty and school shooting videos.

Tahtinen had reportedly moved to Muncie, Indiana after being questioned by police, but turned himself in shortly before 7 p.m Thursday at the Greencastle Police Department.

A search of Tahtinen’s property revealed satanic materials, black spray paint and other items that linked him to the church crimes. Tahtinen also was seen bragging about the crimes on social media.