Graffiti legend was also an NYPD cop

Graffiti legend was also an NYPD cop

By KATHIANNE BONIELLO

Last Updated: 11:24 AM, November 6, 2011

Posted: 9:34 PM, November 5, 2011

EXCLUSIVE

Police have discovered the identity of one of New York City’s most prolific graffiti vandals -- and he’s one of their own.

Steven Weinberg, 43, of Flushing, a patrolman who retired from the NYPD in 2001 after hurting his leg, is the notorious “Neo” -- one of the peskiest subway taggers of the 1980s.

And the spray-painting miscreant is making a comeback, cops say.

“He’s definitely prolific,” a source said.

Transit cops investigating graffiti in northeast Queens watched as Neo’s tag began appearing all over train trestles and highway overpasses the last two years, not far from Weinberg’s home.

ALEX RUD

NAME CHECK: Former NYPD cop Steven Weinberg.

ALEX RUD

Steven Weinberg has admitted to being the 1980s-era tagger “Neo," and police say he’s behind the name’s reappearance recently (above).

Neo's work was featured on the Web site above

They knew their nemesis was a cop. Numerous tipsters confided that Neo once wore a badge, and detectives uncovered a faceless photograph of Neo online, back to the camera, wearing an NYPD raid jacket, according to court documents.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/type_hed_here_85ktI8hMn7HK0cu8M2XsRL#ixzz1cy9M4y50