Story Archive

Say It, Don’t Spray It

Visitors taking in the grandeur of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park were boggled by another tourist: he was spray-painting something on one of the classic formations, “Duck on a Rock”. As some screamed at him to stop, others called 911. Park rangers responded and a man was pointed out. “I made contact with the man and asked him where he had been,” Ranger David Robinson said in his report. “He replied by pointing down at the rock where the red spray paint was visible.” It said “Luci” — a name apparently interrupted mid-spray. He allegedly admitted he had planned to write out his full name. Where is the can of paint? The man said he threw it into the canyon. The man “stated that it was so special that if he left his name, then his kids would be able to see it 20 years from now.” Except that the Park Service said the paint would be removed — at a cost of about $8,000. Lucien Lionel Chenier, of Ottawa, Ont., Canada, was arrested on charges of damaging government property in excess of $1,000, and littering. (RC/Arizona Daily Sun) ...A crime so “special” that his kids will still be embarrassed by him 20 years from now.