by Jim Emerson
WALNUT CREEK — Police arrested a man implicated in attempted robberies and more than 30 graffiti
tagging incidents.
Brandon L. Setaples, 45, of Walnut Creek, remains in custody at the West County
Detention Facility in lieu of $50,000 bond.
Staples was placed under arrest on April 8 at 11:18 a.m. Officers apprehended him on the 100 block of
Pringle Avenue, near Walnut Creek BART Station. He was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery
PC 211 and vandalism PC 549(B).
Staples allegedly used the threat of force or fear in a failed attempted robbery of a business in Walnut
Creek on April 6. He was also arrested in March for another unrelated attempted robbery.
More recently Staples has focused on his public artwork. During the last four weeks, he allegedly
tagged multiple homes and vehicles, spray painting them with letters spelling “Mini Bright.”
He faces felony-level vandalism charges, because his alleged tagging spree affected more than 30
victims. Walnut Creek detectives identified Staples as the suspect responsible for these acts.
A prepared statement from Walnut Creek police says. Vandalism involving “extensive property
damage” occurred in Walnut Creek and surrounding cities. “There may be additional victims who have
not yet reported property being tagged with Mini Bright.”
Staples has been arrested more than 20 times since 2014, including arrests involving property crimes.
He has a prior assault conviction for a paintball attack on patrons outside a Stockton gay nightclub in
June 2016.
