Deer Park Deputy Arrests Suspect for Two Counts of Felony Malicious Mischief, Spray Painting Gang Graffiti on City Buildings,
Several Additional Charges Requested for Damage Estimated at over $20,000 as Investigation Continues
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deer Park Deputy Matt Ennis worked with Deer Park Officials to identify and ultimately arrested the suspect believed to be responsible for multiple incidents of spray painting gang graffiti on several City of Deer Park Buildings. Deputy M. Ennis continued to follow up on similar incidents where Deer Park City, business, and private property were tagged with gang graffiti where the same suspect was identified. The suspect was initially charged with two felony counts of Malicious Mischief, with an additional 12 counts of felony and misdemeanor Malicious Mischief charges requested later based upon Deputy M. Ennis’ follow-up investigation. The total cost for repairs is estimated to be over $20,000.
In late October 2021, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deer Park Deputy M. Ennis began investigating several incidents of gang graffiti spray-painted on buildings at Swinyard Park, businesses, and private property around the town.
Through the investigation, a video was obtained, and a suspect and the vehicle he was driving were identified.
On October 29, 2021, just before 11:00 pm., Deputy M. Ennis was notified by a Deer Park City employee, the suspect and the vehicle were in the area of Vernon and C Street. Deputy M. Ennis contacted the driver, identified as 24-year-old Alec T. Malinak, and noted he immediately identified Malinak as the suspect he observed on the video. Malinak was even wearing the same plaid sweatshirt.
Malinak was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for two felony counts of Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree. He was later released on his own recognizance after the courts reviewed the information.
An adult female passenger was contacted, identified, and later released at the scene without being charged.
Spray paint cans matching the colors used to damage the buildings, a revolver-type handgun, BB’s, and a CO2 canister were observed inside the vehicle. The vehicle was seized as evidence pending a search warrant.
Spokane County Investigative Unit Detectives searched the car after obtaining a search warrant and confirmed the revolver was a realistic-looking CO2 BB gun. They also located 16 cans of black and red spray paint and packets of papers with graffiti-style “tags” drawn on them.
As the investigation continued, Deputy M. Ennis identified a total of ten unique victims, including the extensive damage to the City of Deer Park property, and requested Malinak be charged with 12 additional felonies and misdemeanors.
Additional charges requested: Malicious Mischief 1st Degree (2 counts), Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree (4 additional counts), Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree (6 counts)
