Whatcom man allegedly rams ex’s car and pushes it into tree at Bellis Fair Mall
A Whatcom County man, already awaiting trial on a child rape charge, reportedly used his car to intentionally and repeatedly ram a vehicle driven by a woman he was once in a relationship with, then smashed her car window with a pipe Friday evening in the Bellis Fair Mall parking lot.
Bellingham police booked Levi Zachariah Henifin, 33, into Whatcom County Jail Sept. 18 on charges including first- and second-degree assault, second-degree malicious mischief and violating a domestic violence no-contact order, and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail.
Officers were called at approximately 10:20 p.m. Friday to 1 Bellis Fair Parkway for the report of a domestic disturbance and Henifin intentionally hitting the victim’s car with his own, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
Henifin was gone, but officers found the victim’s car had been pushed into a tree and had heavy damage on both sides, Murphy reported.
Investigation showed that the victim arrived at the mall to pick up her daughter, whom Henifin is reportedly dating, according to Murphy. Henifin saw the victim and reportedly became enraged, ramming her car on the driver’s side.
Henifin then shattered her window with a metal pipe before the victim could drive off, Murphy reported. Henifin reportedly rammed her car again several times, shoving it over a curb and into a tree, before he left the area.
A second victim was in the car at the time, according to Murphy, who reported no serious physical injuries to either of the victims.
Officers located Henifin nearby on Cordata Parkway and placed him under arrest without incident, Murphy wrote.
Whatcom County Superior Court records show Henifin is scheduled for a Dec. 14 jury trial for third-degree child rape, third-degree child molestation and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Those charges stem from 2016 incidents involving a teenage girl Henifin is familiar with, court documents show.
Court records show Henifin has previous convictions for violation of protective orders, controlled substance violation, reckless endangerment and assault in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 12:32 PM.
