SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

Related stories

Sheriff's log

Crime and accident stories from San Juan County Washington

Two accused of knocking down fences, road signs

Two men were arrested and charged last week after a road-sign and fence bashing spree on San Juan Island. Prosecutors accuse the pair of using a truck to damage a chain-link fence at San Juan Valley Cemetery, a wooden fence at St. Francis Cemetery, and a sidewalk in Friday Harbor, and topple at least seven signs.

In San Juan County Superior Court Dec. 1, Jason David Avila, 28, Friday Harbor, and Mathew John Kaczenski, 25, Tacoma, were charged with first-degree maliscious mischief and reckless driving. Avila was also charged with third-degree driving while license suspended. Bail was set at $2,500 and arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Deputies discovered damage to the fences and road signs shortly after midnight, Nov. 29. Paint and pieces of a vehicle were found near the wooden fence and the deputies matched those to Kaczenski's truck, according to prosecutors' statements. When interviewed by deputies, Kaczenski said a friend and he were driving around in his truck and that they decided to "hot rod." With the friend driving, they knocked down a traffic sign, became excited and knocked down four or more signs, Kaczenski told deputies.

Avila told deputies he and Kaczenski were drinking at Jackson Beach and as they left the beach, Kaczenski offered to let Avila drive. According to Avila's statement to deputies, he hit two signs, the truck became stuck in mud by the cemeteries, caught in the wooden fence and when attempting to dislodge it, he drove the truck across the road and into the chain-link fence. He drove while five more signs were struck but Kaczenski did nothing to stop him and even suggested some "targets," Avila told deputies.

Vandal sentenced
to four months

Jason David Avila, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree malicious mischief and third-degree driving while license suspended. Avila and Mathew John Kaczenski, 25 of Tacoman, allegedly drove over road signs and into fences at two San Juan Island cemeteries in late November.

Judge Vickie Churchill sentenced Avila to four months jail time for the maliscious mischief charge and 10 days for the other charge. A reckless driving charge was dropped. Avila was ordered to pay the following restitution: Town of Friday Harbor, $391; San Juan County, $477; a Cattle Point Road business, $75; and St. Francis Church, $25. The amount of restitution owed to San Juan Island Cemetery District is to be determined. Avila also must pay $1,410 toward attorney fees, victim assessment and court costs.

San Juan Islander staff

by mail: San Juan Islander
PO Box 1118
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA

about us