Graffiti Vandal ‘Chaka’ May Face Jail in Theft Case

Daniel Ramos, who as Chaka became one of the nation’s most infamous graffiti vandals, may have signed away his freedom when he allegedly stole three pairs of Nikes from a department store.

The 26-year-old Boyle Heights resident was charged Wednesday with burglary and petty theft after he stole the shoes from a store in West Hills, Deputy Dist. Atty. Dave Ross said.

Ramos was already on probation after his conviction on 48 counts of vandalism for scrawling “Chaka” on 10,000 surfaces across the state.

He was initially arrested in 1990 after police finally caught him defacing a Lincoln Heights traffic light. Ramos was placed on probation, ordered to undergo psychological counseling and required to spend 1,560 hours cleaning graffiti.

But only 24 hours after being released from jail in 1991, he was arrested for writing his name on a courthouse door on his way to see his probation officer. Four days later he was arrested again for trespassing on a city golf course and possession of marijuana.

Head Deputy Dist. Atty. John Spillane said Ramos has had many opportunities for reform and, if convicted, may face a prison sentence of at least three years.