Arrest made following vandalism to fishermen’s memorial at Bellingham park
A 34-year-old woman was arrested Monday in connection with the vandalism of a Bellingham memorial dedicated to deceased fishermen.
Bellingham Police Department Lt. Claudia Murphy said officers were called to Zuanich Point Park on Sunday morning for a report of vandalism to the Safe Return statue. The statue was covered in stickers and yellow and red paint, photographs show, and Murphy said the damage is estimated at $1,500.
Cara Muñoz was seen painting the memorial and was identified as the suspect, according to Murphy. Muñoz posted on social media that the memorial, which features a fisherman casting a mooring line, depicted a noose, which is a hate symbol.
On Monday, Muñoz allegedly returned to the area and was “rude and disrespectful” to the employees cleaning the statue, Murphy said. Muñoz was gone when officers arrived, and police found her skateboarding in the Port area.
Muñoz didn’t stop even when officers flashed their lights and ordered her to stop using the patrol car PA system, according to Murphy. Muñoz then got into a car, drove away and pulled over when officers initiated a traffic stop.
Muñoz refused to leave the car at first, and officers pinned the vehicle in place with their own. Murphy said she resisted arrest even after unlocking the door to her car, kicking one officer in the midsection and another in the leg.
She had to be carried to the patrol car, according to Murphy, and was placed into a restraint system “for her own safety.”
Muñoz has been charged with two counts of third-degree assault, resisting arrest and second-degree malicious mischief. She was released from the Whatcom County Jail on personal recognizance on Tuesday.
Following her release, Muñoz alleged on Instagram that excessive force was used against her, writing that she had bruises, cuts and sprains from her arrest.
Port of Bellingham employees were still working to restore the memorial Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the damage done to this important memorial but have been encouraged by the many community members who have stopped to thank our staff and express how much the statue means to them,” Port of Bellingham officials wrote on Facebook. “We look forward to ensuring this important memorial continues to serve as a place of remembrance for years to come.”
