Thousands of dollars in damage at Whatcom courthouse break-in
A man broke into the Whatcom County Courthouse last weekend, causing several thousand dollars in damage and prompting a review of security measures.
Emmanuel Nathaniel Gonzalez, 35, was being held without bail in the Whatcom County Jail on Tuesday morning, Jan. 10, after his arrest Sunday, Jan. 8, according to online records.
He was facing charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree malicious mischief and third-degree theft.
Sheriff’s deputies found Gonzalez asleep on the sixth floor with a bag containing two machetes and a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, said Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deb Slater.
Gonzalez apparently entered the six-story courthouse about 10:45 a.m. Sunday through an employee access door, Slater told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
“The employee access stairwell lock had been tampered with, which led to the suspicion that there was someone inside the building after hours,” Slater said.
“Deputies conducted a security check but did not find anyone. Around 7 p.m., deputies responded again to the courthouse after it was reported that security footage showed a male walking around inside the building,” Slater said.
A department manager working on Sunday found crumbs on the floor and other things “out of order” and called county Facilities Manager Rob Ney.
Ney reviewed footage from video cameras inside the building and called sheriff’s deputies, who searched the courthouse and finally found Gonzalez asleep near the stairwell access to Juvenile Detention.
Gonzalez damaged several of the building’s heavy oak doors and locks, Ney told The Herald in an interview.
“We’ve never been breached like this before to my knowledge,” Ney said.
Damage to the doors was estimated at $4,300, Slater said.
Gonzalez is also suspected of stealing food from the employee break room and a computer cord, Slater said.
“Things were in places they should not be like a judge’s robes hung up like a shrine in the employee hallway. Deputies found food and crumbs on the floor leading to the westernmost stairwell behind the judge’s chambers and courtrooms,” Slater said.
Most of the damage was focused on the doors, where Gonzalez apparently used a screwdriver, pliers and a small crowbar.
“It’s surprising what he left behind. He wasn’t there to steal,” Ney said.
Locks and doors that were damaged were being replaced with newer locks that are more secure, Ney said.
Other security steps were being taken as part of a recent $200,000 effort that was already in progress with funds approved recently.
“We understand how unsettling this is for our employees,” Ney said.
Some 800 people work in the County Courthouse at 311 Grand Ave., which is one of several county facilities.
It houses the offices of County Executive Satpal Sidhu and the County Council and the auditor, assessor and treasurer.
Upper floors house courtrooms and judicial chambers for District Court and Superior Court, and the top floor is dedicated to Juvenile Detention.
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Thousands of dollars in damage at Whatcom courthouse break-in."
