Police released this image in an attempt to identify the subject who was involved in criminal defacement to property incidents in Harvard’s Park Point subdivision. | Provided Photo

A 13-year-old boy has been taken into custody and charged for allegedly spray painting the word “CRIP” on houses, vehicles and street signs in Harvard, police said.

The Harvard Police Department released surveillance images of a suspect Wednesday.

Officers were first notified about the vandalism starting around 3 p.m. on December 21.

Several residents in the Park Point subdivision reported unknown persons had spray painted the word “CRIP” on several houses, vehicles and street signs earlier in the day.

The defacement occurred in the 800 block of Dewey Street, police said.

On Tuesday, several additional residents reported the suspects returned around 6:30 p.m.

They spray-painted the word “CRIP” on several more houses and vehicles in the same neighborhood, police said.

The suspect or suspects struck in the 700 block of Dewey Street, 100 block of Galvin Parkway and 200 block of Galvin Parkway.

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An offender was caught on a resident’s surveillance camera after walking up to a home’s front door.

Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman said in an update Thursday that a thorough investigation and the assistance of the public led to an arrest being made.

A 13-year-old boy was charged with nine counts of criminal defacement, one count of criminal damage to state-supported property and one count of criminal damage to property.

The boy was released to a parent after his arrest and petitioned to McHenry County Court Services, Bauman said.

It is unclear whether police are still seeking any other suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harvard Police Department at 815-943-4431 and select option 3.

Those who wish to report information anonymously can do so by calling Crime Stoppers at 815-943-4343 or emailing crimestoppers@cityofharvard.org.

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