Has ‘Penis Man’ been pulled off the streets? Tempe police say they’ve made an arrest in notorious graffiti case

PHOENIX — Police hope there will be no more spray painted messages declaring the presence of “Penis Man” across metro Phoenix.

The vandal has been identified and arrested, according to the Tempe Police Department.

Tanner Ballengee, 36, was taken into custody by the Tempe Police Property Crime Unit on Thursday, police said. The Tempe Tactical Response Unit assisted with the apprehension.

He faces two counts of criminal damage for instances that occurred in July and August 2025.

Origins of ‘Penis Man’ and how the suspect was caught

The phrase “Penis Man” started appearing in spray paint on the side of buildings over the past several months, according to the Tempe Police Department.

While many of the instances of vandalism were not captured on video surveillance, an investigation led detectives to Ballengee.

He allegedly admitted to spray painting graffiti in at least two of the locations off Rural Road and Apache Boulevard.

This is not the first time “Penis Man” has made a scene in the Valley.

According to the Phoenix New Times, Dustin Shomer was arrested by 25 heavily armed SWAT officers in 2020 after being accused of tagging multiple buildings with the unsavory wording.

Tempe PD wishes to remind people that graffiti can impact property owners, hurt local business and impact the look and feel of neighborhoods.

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