Police: Sellersville Man Busted in Trainyard Vandalism

A Sellersville man admitted to partaking in a "hobo tradition" when he was caught vandalizing two trains with graffiti the afternoon of May 27, according to Lansdale Police.

On May 27 at around 4 p.m., police observed Matthew Gerdes, 31, of the 400 block of East Park Avenue, Sellersville, allegedly writing on a boxcar on the CSX rail line on West Fifth Street, police said.

An officer approached Gerdes, who was allegedly still holding a black Markel B paint stick and producing a white one from his pocket, police said.

Police said Gerdes stated he was engaging in a "hobo tradition" by writing his sign on the boxcar. He told police he was interested in the history of "hobos" and their affiliation with boxcars, police said.

Gerdes allegedly showed police what he had written. Police said he admitted to writing on two trains.

Gerdes was charged with criminal mischief and simple trespass, police said.