Man arrested in vandalism of Bellingham store

ISABELLE DILLS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - A man vandalized Village Lighting, 1616 N. State St., after employees refused to let him use the store's bathroom, police say.

The man, who was reportedly not a customer, grabbed a 3-foot copper lighting fixture weighing about 10 pounds and began smashing cardboard boxes that contained merchandise on Friday, May 15, said Mark Young, spokesman for the Bellingham Police Department.

The man held the lighting fixture above his head and moved toward an employee in a threatening manner, Young said. The employee got out of the way, and the man left the store.

Police found Daniel Brian Forster Jr., 29, in the 1700 block of Ellis Street, Young said. The lighting fixture was found close by.

Forster refused to cooperate with police after a box cutter was found in his pants pocket, Young said. Forster became aggressive, made derogatory comments and kicked his boot, which had feces on it, toward the police. Officers Tasered and then arrested him, Young said.

Forster was booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault, third-degree theft and malicious mischief.