Ann Arbor teenager pleads guilty to misdemeanor vandalism for graffiti

Robert Agnew, 18, will have to pay $1,300 in restitution after pleading guilty to one count of malicious destruction of property worth more than $200 but less than $1,000, according to Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush. Agnew entered his plea on Thursday during a preliminary examination, Bush said.

In exchange for the guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge, prosecutors will drop a felony charge of malicious destruction of property worth more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, Bush said.

Police say Agnew is the graffiti tagger known as “Zeus.” He’s been accused in multiple acts of vandalism around the city, and Bush said more charges could be brought against him as cases progress. He was arrested while tagging playground equipment in Las Vegas Park in April, Bush said.

The other Ann Arbor teenager who is facing a felony vandalism charge returns to court Wednesday for a pretrial hearing.

Jacob Saalberg, 17, is facing one count of malicious destruction of property worth more than $1,000 but less than $20,000. He’s scheduled to have a pretrial hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Archie Brown.

Saalberg is accused of tagging the building at 220 Felch St. in mid-March just days after the building’s owner paid $3,000 to have the building totally cleaned of graffiti. Police said a search of Saalberg's home turned up spray paint cans, paint pens and electronics showing evidence of graffiti being recovered.

He faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.