An Eatonton man who has been accused of vandalizing Reynolds Lake Oconee businesses and vehicles was picked up by Greene County deputies at the Baldwin County jail on Dec. 5 after he was detained there.
Dalton Tony James Durden, 25, is being charged with three counts of criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree.
According to records, Deputy Josh Corwin was dispatched to 1000 Vista Drive on Nov. 9 in reference to vandalism and “observed a building occupied by Reynolds Lake Oconee property owners with multiple words and symbols spray-painted on the outside of the building, on the sidewalk, and electrical transformer boxes.”
Vista Drive is a side street connecting Linger Longer Road to Commerce Drive and Old Linger Longer Road near the Lake Oconee Village shopping district.
According to Corwin’s account, the building had the words “zealot, eat the rich, and all pigs must die” spray-painted on the exterior. Skulls, the anarchist circle, a heartagram, and an upside-down cross were also spray-painted on the building's windows and walls.
During his investigation, Corwin learned that a former employee may have vandalized the building and that Snapchat photos showed Durden spray-painting it.
Corwin then conducted a security check of the area and found a vehicle belonging to 44 Signs had also been spraypainted with the word “zealot” and a skull symbol. A Bug House Pest Control vehicle had the word “zealot” and a frown face painted on it, and a the dumpster fence behind Bug House Pest Control also had “zealot” painted on it as well as an upside-down cross. “Zealot” was also painted on the rear roll-up door of Bug House Pest Control.
Witnesses said Durden had boasted to acquaintances about the vandalism while showing photos of it.
According to the Milledgeville Police Department, Durden also spray-painted multiple businesses in Milledgeville and was taken into custody by MPD.
A Milledgeville detective said there was no indication the vandalism was gang-related.