Rango The Notorious:Current event

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 You've probably seen Rango on overpasses, bridges, and trains. something we're all familiar with if you pay attention to street art at all. A notorious and specific tag around Oregon and Washington and other unknown cities and states but most notably in Portland Oregon. 

An urban curiosity and legend, locals even joked about spotting it on road trips.

Not my photo, unknown source
R/Rango.

On February 19, 2026, Portland police announced the arrest of 22-year-old Willam P. Matthews of the Cedar Mill area, ending a years-long mystery surrounding the prolific “Rango” graffiti campaign. Matthews now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief tied to extensive vandalism across homes, local businesses, and public infrastructure.

Not my photo, unknown source
R/Rango.

Officers from the Central Precinct’s Neighborhood Response Team had been tracking the pattern of tags for months. According to authorities, the estimated cost to property owners and the city ran into the tens of thousands of dollars as graffiti appeared on bridges, train cars and utility boxes. 

Not my photo, unknown source
R/Rango.

When police stopped Matthews on Thursday, they didn’t just find graffiti tags, they uncovered a mobile stash of materials. A search of his vehicle and attached trailer revealed over 150 spray paint cans, 14 gallons of paint, paint rollers and brushes, hundreds of custom “Rango” stickers, and paint-stained clothing.

Not my photo, unknown source
R/Rango.


Now in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center, Matthews awaits his day in court. Portland police say they will continue to work with community partners to address graffiti and vandalism while encouraging residents to report incidents and help keep public spaces clean.

Not my photo. Cited Instagram post below. 


Although it seems the public is unhappy about this decision from the Portland Police Department. Comments by the dozen chanting “#freerango” and locals calling to solve “real crimes” and asking for his Gofundme link. It appears as though people are upset about this not only because it's an urban spotting and they enjoy the art but also because they feel as though they're not being heard in a legislative sense. After the Epstein files and everything else under the current political state of America it seems as though the general public is upset with any petty crime arrests in a world where pedophiles run the world. And I think in my opinion that's pretty fair.

Not my photo,
R/Rango. 


Citations and sources. 

Instagram post about rango 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU8kULXCVKr/?igsh=cW1qcnF3MXZ3cmFs

1190KEX

https://1190kex.iheart.com/featured/portland-local-news/content/2026-02-23-rango-graffiti-suspect-arrested/?utm_

KPTV

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kptv.com/2026/02/23/portland-police-announce-arrest-prolific-graffiti-vandal-known-rango/%3foutputType=amp



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