BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – A May 14 court date has been set for two Chittenden County youths charged with felony unlawful mischief in what police described as a graffiti binge around the Burlington area.

Police and prosecutors say they hope the two counts against Kyle Wilcox, 19, of Essex, and Nicholas Rozzi, 17, of South Burlington, will send a message to that graffiti – or “tagging” – is not art but criminal behavior.

South Burlington Police Officer Michael Henry says there have been more than 30 incidents of graffiti vandalism in the area since January, causing more than $30,000 in damage.

Police say that one tag painted by Wilcox stretched 60 feet long and 7 feet along the side of a warehouse in Williston.

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Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com

AP-ES-04-18-08 1315EDT