Whatcom man suspected of removing 266 political signs and throwing them in a dumpster
A Sudden Valley man was arrested on suspicion of more than 550 crimes after he allegedly stole at least 266 political signs calling for the recall of the Sudden Valley board of directors and disposed of them in a dumpster near where he works.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Gene Warren Graul, 60, into Whatcom County Jail Friday, Feb. 14, on suspicion of 276 counts of third-degree theft, 266 counts of third-degree possession of stolen property and 14 counts of third-degree malicious mischief. Jail records show Graul was released on personal recognizance Sunday.
Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 11, more than 300 “Recall Now” signs were taken from the Sudden Valley area without permission, and 266 of them were found an Irongate Business Area dumpster on 10 different occasions, according to a Sheriff’s Office press release. The value of each sign was estimated to be $15, meaning the total damages were $3,990.
A surveillance camera captured Graul removing at least one of the signs in Sudden Valley, the release stated. Another camera reportedly caught him placing signs in the Irongate dumpster, which he did not have permission to use.
Graul lives in Sudden Valley and works two blocks from the dumpster where the signs were found.
Graul admitted to deputies that he was solely responsible for removing the signs, keeping them until he returned to work and depositing them in the dumpster, the release said. Graul also reportedly told deputies he opposed the recall effort and felt many of the signs were placed illegally.
The Sudden Valley Community Association was scheduled to hold a Feb. 8 special general meeting to hear and vote on petitions to remove board directors Leslie McRoberts, Andrew Entrikin, Paula Birchler, Michael D’Angelo and Whitney Pearce.
