Police: Man arrested in Babylon Village graffiti spree

A Babylon man faces graffiti charges in a vandalism spree in the village, police said.

Joseph Cassidy, 37, of Midway Street, was charged with nine counts of making graffiti after First Precinct Crime Section officers linked him to at least 15 so-called tags between Dec. 1 and Feb. 6, Suffolk County police said.

Cassidy faces arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip, police said.

He was “identified in connection with spray painting” the “NES” tags on businesses and municipal property in Babylon, police said. According to First Precinct Crime Section Officers, Cassidy indicated that “NES” stands for Nintendo Entertainment Systems, police said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about possible additional incidents to call First Precinct detectives at 631-854-8526. All calls will remain confidential.

Police did not disclose the cost of damages caused by the graffiti and did not identify locations.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”