STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Authorities allege a 43-year-old man from Annadale sprayed graffiti in about 20 incidents of vandalism that damaged train cars at the Clifton station for the Staten Island Railway, businesses, rental vehicles and other properties on Staten Island.
In a separate incident, sources said the suspect allegedly punched a person delivering food to a home in Graniteville last year.
Peter Affrunti of Wendy Drive used the tags “TOPIK,” “RTH” and “1134″ in Rosebank, Clifton and Stapleton, according to the criminal complaint and police. The incidents occurred before officers with the MTA Police Department confiscated a backpack with eight spray cans of paint while apprehending the suspect on Jan. 31 at about 10:50 p.m. on the 800 block of Bay Street near the Clifton train station.
The suspect resisted arrest by walking away from an officer and pulling his arms away and tensing them in an effort to avoid being handcuffed, the complaint alleges.
Affrunti allegedly sprayed graffiti on trains cars in the train yard at the Clifton station on Jan. 30 and last year on Nov. 15 and Oct. 30. He also allegedly spray painted his tag on the retaining wall, exterior walls and other portions of the Clifton substation at the yard on Nov. 26, Dec. 21 and Dec. 27.
He also tagged a U-Haul truck at the rental business at 1050 Bay St. on Jan. 30 and marred the same brand of vehicles at undisclosed locations on Oct.11 and Sept. 15, the complaint alleges.
“It is what it is,” the criminal complaint quotes Affrunti as saying to police. “That is my social media. That is my tag name. The social media accounts are mine.
“The videos I post are of me. I did that. My tag name is TOPIK, my crew name is RTH. It stands for rough tough Huguenot. It has a lot of meanings. I put 1134 because it spells hell backwards.”
Additional alleged incidents in 2023 included:
- Nov. 3 and 5, Queen Ann Car Wash, 1025 Bay St., Rosebank;
- Oct. 1, Legacy African Market, 651 Bay St.. Stapleton;
- Sept. 29, Bubbakoos Burritos, 1145 Bay St., Rosebank;
- Sept. 28, Gentile Dry Cleaners, 1140 Bay St., Rosebank;
- Sept. 21 and 25, CVS Pharmacy, 1125 Bay St., Rosebank;
- Sept. 8, Kum Fung Kitchen, 838 Bay St., Clifton;
- Sept. 6, 850 Bay St., Clifton;
- Sept. 1, International Haircutting Salon, 988 Bay St., Rosebank.
He has been charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and possession of graffiti instruments.
Affrunti was arrested on Feb. 1 for the alleged assault that occurred on April 19, 2023, in the vicinity of Fahy Avenue and Longdale Street. The suspect allegedly punched a man multiple times in the face, neck and shoulders, causing bruising, swelling and pain to those parts of the body.
Affrunti has been charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment in the alleged attack.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him and has been released on his own recognizance. He is due back in Criminal Court on March 15, according to public records.
Attorney Michael Vitaliano, who is representing Affrunti, declined to comment at this time.