French graffiti artist Zevs - known for 'liquidating' famous logos by pouring paint over them - was arrested early yesterday after a Chanel logo appeared on the facade of a Central building in his style. He was one of three people arrested over the incident at Chater House at 3.30am.
Police did not name the three, saying only that they were a 32-year-old Western visitor and two Hong Kong residents aged 27 and 26. But the owner of Art Statements Gallery, Dominique Perregaux, who invited Zevs, confirmed his arrest.
The logo was painted on the A-grade office building in brown paint, with blurring of its outline in a style the artist - who took his name from Zeus, a regional train that almost hit him in Paris - dubbed liquidation.
A police spokeswoman said a man called the emergency hotline shortly before 3.30am after he saw a man get out of a van parked near the building and paint graffiti on the wall.
'Police went to the scene. Officers found the vehicle and arrested three men inside for alleged vandalism,' the spokeswoman said. They were still being detained last night.
Speaking from Singapore, Mr Perregaux said his assistants called him at about 4am. 'They were with Zevs. I have not been able to reach them since. I am trying to get hold of them.'