Arrest of Prolific Graffiti Vandal “Bambi,” Investigation Update on “Monk6”

Press release

An ongoing investigation into prolific graffiti vandals has led to major search warrants, the seizure of paint and other supplies, and criminal convictions.

Published

July 24, 2025 4:24 pm

Updated

July 24, 2025 9:24 pm

three police officers search a room — Monk6 search warrant July 24, 2025 (click for high res image)

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, at about 7:00 a.m., Portland Police Officers assigned to the Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) served a search warrant at a home in the Sunnyside Neighborhood of southeast Portland. They were searching for evidence related to the prolific tagger who identifies himself as MONK6.

Monk6 evidence being catalogued at Central Precinct July 24, 2025 (click for high res image)

MONK6 is a prominent graffiti vandal in the City of Portland who does large tags in highly visible locations, often in elevated spots requiring technical climbing skills or specialized equipment to both make and clean/remove. He was one of the subjects featured in the YouTube CHAOSTOWN documentary Portland is losing the ‘graffiti war’, released in May 2024.

A Monk6 tag on a bridge support column — Monk6 tag on bridge support column

During the search warrant, officers seized dozens of cans of spray paint, thousands of drawn or painted examples of the moniker MONK6, and materials used in the process of graffiti vandalism. MONK6 has been identified by police; however his name is not being released at this time. The case is being turned over for prosecution to the Strategic Services and Special Prosecution Unit at the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. The case number is 25-4802.

A police officer writes evidence property receipts next to evidence bags full of spray paint cans — Bambi warrant March 31, 2025 (click for high res image)

With the progress of this investigation, the Portland Police Bureau can now release information about the arrest and prosecution of another related graffiti vandal who uses the tag “BAMBI.” Central NRT investigated dozens of BAMBI tags in downtown, northwest industrial, central eastside, and in north Portland. During the investigation, officers learned BAMBI tagged in the BWA (Babes With Aerosol) crew and begun investigations on them. On March 31, 2025, NRT served a search warrant at her residence in the 2200 Block of Northwest Overton Street, recovered a large amount of graffiti evidence, and arrested BAMBI, whose real name is Darvin V. Duffield, 22. She was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (2 counts) and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (2 counts). On July 3, 2025, Duffield pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 24 months probation, graffiti conditions, and ordered to pay restitution of $10,187 (including $6,825 owed to ODOT). The case number is 24-13009.

PPB has investigated and made significant cases against other prolific graffiti vandals, including another suspect that was featured in the CHAOSTOWN documentary.

The City of Portland continues with a multi-faceted strategy to address vandalism, tagging, and unlawfully applied graffiti. Community members can report graffiti or request assistance with cleanup of graffiti here.

Central NRT is continuing active investigations into this case and other graffiti vandalism cases in the city, prioritizing the most significant offenders. If anyone has information about a graffiti vandal, especially the names and addresses of these criminal suspects, please email tips (include as much detail as possible) to investigators at crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Central NRT.

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