Police: Huntington man faces graffiti charges for defund-cop messages

A Huntington man who allegedly spray painted "Defund the Police" or "Defund Suffolk PD" on nine buildings earlier this year faces multiple counts of making graffiti, Suffolk police said Wednesday.

Thomas Rivas, 26, of Juanita Avenue, was arrested and charged last Wednesday following an investigation by Second Precinct Crime Section officers, authorities said.

Rivas defaced nine buildings between March and April 2021, according to police. They include:

• The Kaufman Corp on West Hills Road in Huntington Station
• Ravello Ristorante on East Jericho Turnpike in Elwood
• The Spirit of Huntington Arts Center on Melville Road in Huntington Station
• Village Fireplace & Barbeque on New York Avenue in Huntington Station
• Piccola Bussola Restaurant on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington
• Dunkin' on Route 110 in Huntington Station
• Salone Di Bianca on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington
• Sinai Furniture on Depot Road in Huntington Station
• Dunkin' on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station

Rivas will be arraigned at a later date in First District Court in Central Islip.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.