Portland teen accused of spraying graffiti on I-84 after major cleanup

Portland resident Asher Bengston, 18, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center early Wednesday morning by police and faces a charge of first-degree criminal mischief.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A teenager has been arrested and accused of spraying graffiti on a retaining wall near I-84 24 hours after a major cleanup effort by the Oregon Department of Transportation was completed.

Portland resident Asher Bengston, 18, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center early Wednesday morning and faces a charge of first-degree criminal mischief.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers responded at 1:30 a.m. to reports of "suspicious activity in the area of Northeast Broadway and Northeast 33rd Avenue. "

"When they arrived at the scene, officers saw people spray painting a retaining wall on private property," police said in a release. "Officers detained two people and ultimately arrested one of them."

Authorities also allege they searched Bengston's bag, finding "bottles full of paint."

PPB said they're "committed to stopping vandalism" and that the arrest comes after active patrols on the streets near I-84, which has been targeted in recent days immediately after the cleanup.