Two arrested in WHS vandalism case

Two arrests have been made in connection with a vandalism incident at Whitefish High School last month. Kristin Langstaff, 21, of rural Whitefish, and Clayton James Larsen, 19, of Evergreen have been charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief.

During the May 30 incident the sign located at the front entrance of the school was spray painted with orange and black. Some school windows and the sidewalk were also painted.

The incident was captured on the school security system.

According to a Whitefish Police Department press release, about 20 minutes after the vandalism occurred, Whitefish sergeant Clint Peters made a traffic stop and cited Langstaff for running a red light at Spokane Avenue and 13th Street in Whitefish. Langstaff was accompanied by an unknown male.

On May 31, the sergeant returned to work and while reviewing cases from the prior day, noticed that the person he had stopped and cited appeared to be the same person videoed during the vandalism. Peters also remembered seeing the two individuals stop at Super One Foods subsequent to the traffic stop. Police say video from Super One clearly showed the unknown male who was later identified as Larsen.

Both individuals were interviewed by Whitefish detectives and admitted their involvement in the crime. Police say both were home schooled and had no connection to Flathead High School, who’s school colors are orange and black.

Vandalism that occurred inside the school on the same day is reportedly a separate incident.

If convicted both face up to a $500 fine, up to six months in the county jail, and restitution to the school.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial says graffiti costs the taxpayers millions of dollars nationwide and most recently Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls have experienced an inordinate amount of tagging. Residents are encouraged to call police if a person is seen defacing any property and to quickly remove graffiti to discourage future tagging.