Police observe and arrest three black-clad graffiti taggers

Three dissidents were arrested on Monday night after being caught in the act of defacing various downtown Olympia buildings. according to police.

Two Olympia police officers were sitting in an unmarked car on Fifth Avenue East in downtown at 10:09 p.m. on April 12, 2021, in preparation for a possible protest and marching demonstration scheduled to occur. The two officers noticed three subjects walking out of the alleyway, appearing nervous, dressed in all-black clothing -- hoodies, pants, and face masks -- and carrying backpacks.

The three subjects, identified as Elizabeth Ketcham, Robert Rayner, and Brayden Steyer, stopped in the alleyway of the old Burial Grounds Coffee building, at 211 5^th Avenue, producing spray paint cans from underneath their clothing. Ketchum, 25, was witnessed spray painting an “eye” on the building.

Rayner, 18, spray-painted “ACAB” ("All Cops Are Bastards") on the wall of the building. Steyer, 18, was witnessed by Olympia Police as kneeling down by the city dumpster, but it was unclear whether he painted it.

The two officers followed the trio of alleged taggers as they walked in and out of several alleys downtown, painting several buildings. These included the block wall near Lloyd’s Transmission (100 Jefferson Street NE) with “ACAB” markings; the wall behind the old Voyeur Restaurant was tagged with an “eye,” and the building wall on the old Bar Code building was tagged with an “eye” and the word “pleat.”

The officers continued to follow the individuals as they entered an alleyway behind Pizza Time at 112 Jefferson Street NE, tagging City of Olympia dumpsters with “pleat” and "estes.” Olympia Police then radioed for a marked police unit to assist and then detained the individuals. 

All three suspects were in possession of spray paint cans, according to the police. While detained in the alleyway, Ketchum claimed the tag “eye,” Rayner claimed the tag “pleat” and Steyer claimed the tag “estes.”

Ketchum was asked what pronouns should be used, and replied “they/them.” Ketcham informed the Olympia Police that people call them “Frog” but told the police to refer to them as “Elizabeth.” Upon search of Ketchum’s jacket, Olympia Police recovered several golf-ball-sized rocks.

After being provided with their Miranda Rights, Ketcham said that they understood their rights and was willing to speak to Olympia Police. “I was with friends and spray painted something,” they said, specifically referring to “my eyeball” as being what they spray painted. Ketcham told Olympia police that the eyeball is a combination of “the moon and a sun goddess” and makes them “feel more centered” and it is their “artistic outlet.” Olympia Police asked Ketcham how often they spray paint. “Not often. I realize this was a large mistake.”

All three were transported to the Olympia City Jail, booked for graffiti vandalism. Police estimated the cost of cleanup to be less than $500.