Vandal sought for graffiti damage in Lakeside, Somers

Scott Shindledecker, Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, Mont.
·2 min read

Aug. 4—A graffiti vandal is on the loose in the communities of Lakeside and Somers and local residents aren't happy about it.

According to the Rev. Andy Wendel, who pastors a church in the area, the graffiti started popping up about three weeks ago.

"It's quite disturbing," Wendel said. "We're still having graffiti being done, but the authorities have a good photo of him and hopefully he'll be caught soon."

Wendel said it's hard to read what is being spray-painted, but he said the vandal may be using a template for his work.

"Some might not think it's a big deal or it's just art, but it's defacing public and private property," he said. "It's something we don't want here and we've come together as a community to pitch in and combat this."

According to Wendel, the boy, who appears to be a teenager with dyed blonde hair, according to photos obtained from a security camera, has spray-painted the Lakeside County Water and Sewer building three times and another building in Somers, which used to be the home of Eidsvold Lutheran Church. It is now being used by a local business for storage.

The most famous target of the teen is the former patrol car that belongs to the Lakeside Somers Chamber of Commerce. "Lucky" sits in Lakeside and is meant to be a deterrent to speeders.

He was "tagged" last Thursday, but a local business owner quickly cleaned up the paint and restored it.

"We don't want any action against the teen to be overly punitive, but it does need to stop," Wendel said. "We're asking people to keep their eyes out and maybe someone will see him and he can be stopped."

Wendel also said many community members have pitched in to clean up the vandal's work.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office posted images of the teen on its Facebook page Monday and is asking the public's help in identifying the person.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the photos is asked to call Crimestoppers at 406-752-8477 or email TIPS@FLATHEAD.MT.GOV.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.