Dylan Weeks accused of defacing iconic Keith Haring mural in Collingwood

An alleged graffiti vandal has been accused of defacing an iconic mural painted by an iconic American artist which was celebrating its 40th birthday.

Dylan Weeks allegedly defaced an iconic Collingwood mural painted by American artist Keith Haring. Picture: 3AW

An accused vandal has had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to turn up to court while on bail for various criminal damage offences.

Dylan Weeks failed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 4 having been charged with numerous offences, notably the alleged destruction of a heritage listed mural.

On June 23, 2024, the 24-year-old allegedly intentionally destroyed a heritage-listed Keith Haring mural in Collingwood, before allegedly trespassing and painting over property at the Collingwood Yards without permission.

The mural was painted by the influential American artist — who died after contracting AIDS just six years later — in 1984.

It was also defaced in an unrelated incident in 2022.

The mural was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2004 and is one of only 31 known murals by the artist that exist worldwide.

It is alleged that on March 1, 2024, Mr Weeks unlawfully assaulted Tahsin Halici, while he was also charged with theft on the same day.

Dylan Weeks allegedly defaced a Keith Haring mural in Collingwood. Picture: 3AW

On August 7, 2024, the West Footscray man is accused of intentionally damaging advertising boards belonging to JCDecaux in South Yarra.

On the same day, he has been accused of trespassing onto a Metro trains site with graffiti cans in South Yarra, before allegedly destroying property and entering a Metro trains site in Richmond.

Mr Weeks was also charged with stealing a bottle of Grey Goose vodka from Lorne in July 2024.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet issued a warrant for Mr Weeks’ arrest when he did not show up.

He is due to face court next week over other criminal damage matters.