Whatcom County Courthouse vandalized during early-morning break-in that left ATM damaged
A vandal smashed the glass doors to the Whatcom County Courthouse early Monday, writing graffiti on a wall inside and breaking open an ATM in the courthouse hallway during a five-hour rampage.
More than $10,000 in damage was reported, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deb Slater said in a statement Monday afternoon.
Crime scene tape cordoned off part of the north entrance to the building, called the rotunda, at 8 a.m. Monday. It was unknown if money had been removed from the cash machine. Slater’s statement didn’t address that issue.
Slater said a suspect was arrested about 5:30 a.m Monday, after spending about five hours inside the courthouse at 311 Grand Ave.
The suspect, a 29-year-old woman, was released from the Whatcom County Jail late Sunday night after being arrested on unrelated charges, and she immediately broke into the courthouse next door, Slater said.
“Video surveillance shows (the suspect) stealing a white metal box from the jail lobby as she was leaving. At approximately 12:45 a.m. video surveillance shows (the suspect) breaking a window with the metal box on the north side of the courthouse. (The suspect) spent nearly five hours vandalizing items inside the courthouse, damaging equipment and spreading debris. (The suspect) did not breach any locked areas once inside the courthouse,” Slater said.
Bellingham Police assisted sheriff’s deputies at the scene, according to online police daily activity reports.
The suspect was being held without bail Monday at the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief, second-degree burglary and other charges, according to online booking records.
The Whatcom County Courthouse was built in the 1930s and was expanded in 1972 and 1991, according to the county website. In addition to the the District and Superior courts, it houses offices for the county executive, assessor, treasurer and auditor.
“County Executive Satpal Sidhu has asked the Whatcom County Facilities Division to develop proposals to strengthen security in the courthouse, particularly during after hours,” Slater said.
Monday’s incident is the second break-in at the courthouse in as many years.
In January 2023 a burglar caused several thousand dollars in damage and prompted a review of security measures.
During recent discussions for the 2025-26 budget, several courthouse employees asked the County Council to provide funds to address their concerns about security in their offices. That budget hasn’t been approved.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 2:48 PM.
