Deputies search for man they call prolific bus tagger

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are searching for a man they say is a prolific graffiti writer.

Transit Services Bureau deputies served a search warrant in the 600 block of Oleander Avenue in Highland Park last week in search of Tomas Benson, 28, a tagger who goes by the name RUET.

They say Benson has caused more than $8,000 in damage to L.A. city and Metropolitan Transportation Authority property.

Deputies found evidence of graffiti writing at Benson's home but did not find Benson, according to a statement from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

They detained another man while serving the warrant but released him after questioning.

Officials believe Benson belongs to several tagging crews, including AL (At Large), PDB (Pros Don’t Boast) and NE (NorthEast), and has ties to another tagging crew, MSK (Mad Society Kings). Several members of MSK have been arrested and charged with thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.

Sheriff's officials are asking anyone with information about Benson or graffiti crimes to call 888-950-7233.

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-- Abby Sewell

Photos: Deputies remove spray paint from an alleged tagger's home in 2010. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times.