BELLINGHAM, Wash. — An investigation into property vandalism using specific “tags” extending back into 2022 has led to the issuance of arrest warrants for 4 people, 2 of whom had been arrested as of April 28th.
On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, officers of the Bellingham Police Department executed search warrants on four locations related to a series of investigations into chronic, repeated and prolific instances of graffiti “tagging” throughout Bellingham. The specific graffiti “tags” were “HOME,” “RHIZO,” “NOID,” and “MAZE” aka “EZMA.” Evidence seized during the searches supported the investigation.
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will be filing felony Malicious Mischief charges against all four persons. Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office (April 28, 2023)
Bellingham Police Department (BPD) Lieutenant Claudia Murphy told Whatcom News the investigation of chronic incidents of “tagging” has been going on since 2022.
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Vandalism evidence photos of specific “tag” graffiti. Photo courtesy of Bellingham Police Department 
Vandalism evidence photos of specific “tag” graffiti. Photo courtesy of Bellingham Police Department 
Vandalism evidence photos of specific “tag” graffiti. Photo courtesy of Bellingham Police Department 
Vandalism evidence photos of specific “tag” graffiti. Photo courtesy of Bellingham Police Department
Murphy said the following people were arrested on April 26th and booked and released at the Whatcom County Jail.
- Jack C Toillion, age 18 and from Bellingham
- Charged with suspicion of
- felony criminal conspiracy
- 1st-degree malicious mischief (damage in excess of $5,000.)
- 282 counts of 3rd-degree malicious mischief (cumulative damage of $27,582)
- Charged with suspicion of
- Garrison P Bonds, age 18 and from Bellingham
- Charged with suspicion of
- felony criminal conspiracy
- 1st-degree malicious mischief (damage in excess of $5,000)
- 321 counts of 3rd-degree malicious mischief (cumulative damage of $38,262)
- Charged with suspicion of
From the investigation, it appears they were working in concert as part of a common scheme or plan to commit malicious mischief to tag and graffiti locations within the city of Bellingham. Based on that there was probable cause for the criminal conspiracy charge. Bellingham Police Department Lieutenant Claudia Murphy (April 28, 2023)
Murphy did not say whether BPD were still attempting to locate the other 2 persons with arrest warrants or if they had also been arrested.
Anyone whose property was vandalized with any of these specific tags and has not already made a police report is asked to contact BPD Deputy Chief Don Almer via email at dalmer@cob.org. Other vandalism victims are instructed to use a digital photo of the entire tag when reporting the vandalism using the department’s online system at www.cob.org/reporting.