Tony Clark, 25, of Hammond, is facing felony charges after police alleged the registered sex offender spray-painted gang-related graffiti on a bridge near Columbia Avenue and 167th Street in Hammond.
According to court documents, Hammond Police were dispatched around 9 a.m. May 21 after a caller reported a “Black male wearing hoodie with white bag across his shoulder who had allegedly spray-painted the southwest wall of the bridge.” Authorities stated responding officers observed what appeared to be red spray paint on the wall of the bridge while traveling northbound on Columbia Avenue.
Police said the reporting party followed the suspect to the Hammond Division of Family Resources building in the 6500 block of Columbia Avenue and continued observing him until officers arrived. Court records state the witness also photographed the suspect, which allegedly matched Clark.
According to the affidavit, officers observed Clark wearing a black hoodie “with red hair and white bag across his shoulders,” and stated there was visible red paint on the white bag and on both of his hands.
Court records state investigators later recovered a bottle of red temporary hair color spray from Clark’s bag while he was being processed at the Hammond City Jail.
According to investigators, the graffiti allegedly consisted of “a five-point crown underneath a three-point crown, with the letter ‘L’ on the left side and the letter ‘R’ on the right side.” Authorities stated the symbol was associated with the Latin Kings street gang and alleged Clark was a self-admitted member of the gang.
Police further alleged Clark’s Indiana identification card did not match the address where he is registered as a sex offender.
Charges filed May 22, 2026:
Criminal Organization Activity — Level 6 Felony
Failure To Register As A Sex Or Violent Offender — Level 6 Felony
Criminal Mischief — Class B Misdemeanor
