Charges: Man spent months spray-painting 'plunger' on Duluth buildings

A Duluth man has been charged after police say he spray-painted the word "plunger" on multiple buildings in the city.

Mason Kenneth Manseau, 22, has allegedly tagged "hundreds" of buildings in Duluth since February, according to charges filed this week.

Manseau was arrested on April 9 after police received a call reporting a "plunger" tag at Dubh Linn Brew Pub. A witness said they saw Manseau walk up to the window and write the word in blue spray paint.

Officers found Manseau and ordered him to stop, but he attempted to flee. He eventually stopped around 3rd Avenue E. and Michigan Street and was arrested.

Police discovered two cans of blue spray paint in the man's backpack. According to the criminal complaint, Manseau also had blue paint residue on his hands.

Manseau was ultimately released from jail as the Duluth Police Department continued its investigation.

A day later, officers found six more locations in the downtown area with the word "plunger" written in blue spray paint. Surveillance footage at the Technology Village parking ramp and the Weiland Building captured a white man marking the different buildings.

The total cost to repair the damage at the Technology Village is $1,295.08.

That same day, officers were advised of the same graffiti at the Duluth Transit Center. Surveillance footage captured who appeared to be Manseau.

Prior to the April 9 and 10 incidents, the City of Duluth estimated that they covered up at least 30 "plunger" tags in and the estimated repair total is $551.85.

Manseau was jailed again on Thursday.

The 22-year-old is charged with one count of 1st-degree damage to property and fleeing a police officer. If convicted, Manseau faces up to five years in prison and an $11,000 fine.