A part-time employee in the East Hampton Village Department of Public Works was arrested on Friday for allegedly vandalizing village and private property, including the side of a village police vehicle, in August.
Village police arrested Jean Pierre Hernandez, 32, of Hampton Bays on Friday in connection with the incidents, which were discovered on Aug. 11. He was charged with two counts of criminal mischief in the second degree, and four counts of criminal mischief in the third degree, all felonies.
He allegedly painted the entire passenger side of a police vehicle blue and vandalized the sign in front of the Emergency Services Building with more paint. The bus stop in front of Herrick Park, Hook Mill, and the steps at 99 Newtown Street, which at the time was People's Bank (it's now M&T Bank) were also targeted.
Mr. Hernandez was working the 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift through the summer, "doing night and evening garbage pickups," according to Mayor Jerry Larsen.
"We don't know the motive. He didn't cooperate with the investigation, but we had him on several video cameras," said Mr. Larsen. He said that Dave Collins, the head of the Public Works Department, saw paint matching the colors used in the vandalism spree on Mr. Hernandez's shoes, and told investigators.
"He didn't talk," said Sgt. Jennifer Dunn, in charge of the detective division at the village police. "He has worked for the village for three years."
She said investigations were ongoing regarding more vandalism involving paint towards the end of August, and would not comment on those investigations.
Mr. Hernandez was arraigned on Saturday at East Hampton Town Justice Court and was released on his own recognizance.
