Man with stick allegedly causes $7,000 damage, chases worker in downtown Bellingham spree
A man carrying a large stick reportedly got into a CenturyLink vehicle, broke the window of another, caused more than $7,000 worth of damage to four downtown Bellingham business and chased an Aslan Brewing employee with the stick during a spree of crimes Sunday evening.
Bellingham police booked Michael Anthony Wilson, 48, into Whatcom County Jail Aug. 16 on a number of charges, including malicious mischief, vehicle prowling and harassment, and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $2,500 bail.
Officers were called at approximately 8:08 p.m. Sunday for the report of a vehicle break-in at Century Link Communications in the 1200 block of North Forest Street, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email. Witnesses reported that a man got into a CenturyLink vehicle and then walked over to another and broke the window. The damage was estimated to be approximately $500.
The witnesses’ description of the man matched several reports police received in the past two days for Wilson swinging a stick around and chasing people and cars, Murphy reported. Wilson reportedly ran from police following those incidents, and police planned to cite him for the misdemeanors.
Approximately 30 minutes after the incident at CenturyLink, police were called to Aslan Brewing Company for the report of a man damaging property, banging on windows with a stick and breaking a tent, Murphy reported. Witnesses again gave a description of a man who matched Wilson, who reportedly ran away as officers arrived.
Police learned that before he ran, Wilson confronted an Aslan employee and chased her with a stick, yelled abusive language and disrupted patrons in the outdoor seating area, Murphy reported. The estimated damage at the brewery was approximately $500.
Later reports to police arrived from the nearby Sherwin Williams Paint Store and Everyday Music that they had their windows broken out, and Murphy reported Wilson had been seen near both businesses with his cart and stick. Damage at each location was estimated to be $3,000.
Wilson was located nearby and taken into custody, according to Murphy, who added that officers found a homemade dagger, a large pocket knife and a large stick while searching Wilson and his cart.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 1:01 PM.
