Buster

Hamptons Cops Collar World's Oldest Tagger, 63, For Anti-Obama Graffiti Spree

A 63-year-old man who reportedly confessed to a months-long anti-Obama graffiti spree in a tony Hamptons village has been charged with felony criminal mischief and 13 misdemeanor counts, police report.

Lawrence Nickel was collared last week by East Hampton cops in connection with a four-month probe of the vandalism, which “made derogatory references to President Obama and his policies.”

When questioned by cops last Tuesday, Nickel “did give a statement admitting” responsibility for the graffiti, according to a police report. Cops estimate that the vandalism resulted in about $1500 in damages.

The elderly tagger’s handiwork--found on village buildings and traffic signs--included “Obama USA’s #1 Terrorist!” and “Obama Lying P.O.S.” Nickel also allegedly used a racial slur in a message he scrawled on a bench ("Obama is a lying nigger").

Nickel was apprehended with the help of video from surveillance cameras mounted outside East Hampton businesses. To evade capture, Nickel allegedly tore down one police surveillance camera and threw it into the ocean.

Free on $750 bail, Nickel is scheduled for an October 11 court appearance. While he has been identified as a boat captain who splits his time between East Hampton and Stuart, Florida, a police report lists Nickel’s employer as a Hamptons home builder.