A 44-year-old Butler man allegedly admitted spray painting graffiti derogatory toward Blacks on a sidewalk outside a Black family’s home, according to city police.

Butler police charged Philip Anthony Rienzi Friday with criminal mischief and ethnic intimidation, both misdemeanor offenses.

According to police, a pedestrian reported the graffiti on East Brady Street on Tuesday.

Police said they identified Rienzi as the suspect and brought him in for questioning after canvassing the area and finding video.

Rienzi allegedly said the reason he painted the graffiti outside the home was because of recent interactions he had with a man who lives there, according to police.

Police said the city’s parks department tried, but was unable, to remove the graffiti. The property owner responded and cleaned it off.

Rienzi is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Sept. 14 before District Judge William T. Fullerton, according to court records.

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