WARREN, Ohio - Police have narrowed their search for the vandal who targeted Grohl Alley and defaced the art over the weekend.
Over the past four years, business owners like Jim Fogarty, who owns Two Ticks and The Dog Productions in Warren, have watched the overgrown garbage filled alley be converted into works of art that attract people to Warren.
Fogarty says, "People come from around the country to take pictures in front of the street art." He says, "They're Nirvana fans, they're Foo Fighter fans, they're Dave Grohl fans, so it's really been a focal point of positivity and to have something like this happen is a tragedy for art."
Greg Bartholomew who owns All American Cards and Comics, who is also a 4th Ward Councilman, reported the vandalism to Warren police.
He said, "This was definitely premeditated, because when he came down the alley he only spray painted the artwork, none of the buildings. He also left the can of spray paint in the alley."
In 2009 then Sergeant Joe O'Grady spearheaded the creation of the tribute to Grohl, a 13 time Grammy award winner. O'Grady is heartbroken for the artist; however he is staying positive and will use this as an opportunity to upgrade the outdoor art gallery and walkway.
O'Grady said, "I've got a lead already from a lady who works at the steel mill, and she might be able to cut out some big music notes."
O'Grady tells 21 News there are surveillance cameras which captured the suspect on video vandalizing the buildings.
Warren police believe they know the identity of the man seen in the video defacing the artwork. They will be talking with the suspect.
Lt. Jeffrey Cole says when they get identification of the suspect and interview him; detectives will have the Warren prosecutor file criminal charges.
O'Grady says Grohl visits the alley named in his honor when he visits his dad who lives in Warren.
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