MOUNT DORA BUSINESS OWNER HELPS NAB DOWNTOWN VANDALS

ABOVE: Business owners Phil and Kate Barnard. (Mount Dora Buzz photo)

It’s an unexpected sight. Vandals aren’t too common in downtown Mount Dora, and spotting a pair tagging buildings with graffiti in broad daylight in the bustling historic district would be, well unusual to say the least.

That’s exactly what happened at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, when an alert Mount Dora business owner spotted vandals doing exactly that and quickly gave chase.

Phil Barnard, co-owner of Magical Meat Boutique, a British Pub, walked out of his business to discover a man and woman apparently vandalizing a wall on a private parking area along downtown’s Dora Drawdy Alley. 

Barnard confronted the pair and pursued the male, but lost sight of the female suspect.   Mount Dora Police arrived to arrest Josef Weiss, 20, of Eustis, for six counts of criminal mischief.   After being read his Miranda rights, Weiss quickly told police he was merely the lookout for his girlfriend.  Officers discovered large markers on Weiss that matched the colors of the tagging. 

ABOVE: Arrested suspect Josef Weiss, 20 of Eustis.

Later, it was discovered the bold pair had allegedly tagged several downtown locations on that afternoon.  In all, four businesses were affected by Saturday’s vandalism spree, including Magical Meat Boutique, Lake County Arms, Papilio and Barrel of Books and Games.  All of the small business owners signed affidavits that expressed their intention to prosecute. 

Weiss was transported to Lake County Jail.    This article will be updated upon the arrest of the female involved.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online event calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app. ​

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