A veteran graffiti vandal who had gone into hiding for 16 years re-emerged in recent weeks and was arrested for tagging early Sunday, police said.

Adam Cole, 45, of Queens, had a reputation among cops for his prolific “Cost” tag throughout Manhattan in the 1990s.

Sixth Precinct Officer Colin Sullivan, who had long followed the vandal’s work, urged fellow cops to be on the lookout after “Cost” began reappearing on visible surfaces downtown.

Cole was charged this week. He was released on bail after arraignment, and is due back in court ­Friday, according to police.