Fishermen’s Memorial Vandal Already ID’d Before Arrest, Police Say

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham police say a woman arrested after confronting workers restoring the Fishermen’s Memorial at Zuanich Point Park had already been identified as the suspect in a vandalism investigation involving the same monument.

“Officers concluded their investigation and were able to identify the suspect in this vandalism. After review of surveillance video, they were able to identify not only MUNOZ, but also her vehicle’s license plate.”

Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy

Surveillance Video Led Police to a Suspect

Police responded about 6:41 a.m. Sunday, July 12, after someone reported vandalism at the Fishermen’s Memorial in the 2600 block of South Harbor Loop Drive.

Investigators found paint and multiple homemade stickers attached to the “Safe Return” memorial. Police estimated the damage at approximately $1,500.

According to Murphy, investigators reviewed surveillance footage and identified 34-year-old Cara M. Munoz as the suspect. Police allege the video shows Munoz painting the bronze statue, hanging a bicycle lock from the sculpture and attaching homemade signs to the memorial.

Investigators also allege Munoz skateboarded through the Port of Bellingham property while painting and placing signs on other Port-owned signs before leaving the area.

After reviewing the surveillance footage, officers developed probable cause to arrest Munoz for second-degree malicious mischief, Murphy said.

Workers Called Police During Cleanup

The following morning, restoration crews returned to remove graffiti and repair the memorial.

Police responded about 11:33 a.m. Monday after receiving reports that a woman was being “rude and disrespectful” toward employees cleaning the monument.

Responding officers recognized the description as matching Munoz, who had already been identified in the vandalism investigation.

Before police arrived, Munoz posted several videos on social media criticizing the memorial and confronting workers. In the videos, she claimed the rope carved into the bronze fisherman represented a white supremacist noose rather than a maritime mooring line.

The videos show Munoz questioning workers while recording them as they continued restoring the monument.

Police Describe Pursuit and Arrest

Police said officers first located Munoz riding a skateboard through the Port area.

According to Murphy, officers activated their emergency lights and attempted to stop her. They also sounded a brief siren and issued commands over the patrol car’s public address system. Police said Munoz continued skating and eventually disappeared from sight.

Witnesses later told officers Munoz entered a black vehicle and drove away.

Officers found the vehicle in the 800 block of Coho Way and initiated a traffic stop.

Police said Munoz stopped but locked the doors and ignored repeated commands to exit after officers informed her she was under arrest. Officers then positioned patrol vehicles to prevent the car from leaving.

According to police, Munoz attempted to drive away before stopping and unlocking the vehicle. Officers then removed her from the car and placed her under arrest.

Officers Allege Munoz Resisted Arrest

Police allege Munoz physically resisted officers as they attempted to take her into custody.

According to Murphy, Munoz kicked one officer in the midsection and another in the leg during the struggle. Both officers reported minor pain.

Police also allege Munoz refused to walk to the patrol vehicle, forcing officers to carry her before placing her into a restraint system for transport to the Whatcom County Jail.

Murphy confirmed officers also placed a spit hood on Munoz after she allegedly spit toward an officer during the arrest.

Investigators developed probable cause for two counts of third-degree assault and one count of resisting lawful arrest in addition to the malicious mischief allegation, police said.

Jail Records Reflect Multiple Allegations

Whatcom County Jail records show officers booked Munoz on allegations of:

• Second-degree malicious mischief
• Two counts of third-degree assault
• Resisting lawful arrest

She was later released on personal recognizance.

The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will determine whether to file formal charges.

Fishermen’s Memorial Honors Those Lost at Sea

The “Safe Return” memorial overlooks the entrance to Squalicum Harbor at Zuanich Point Park. Community leaders dedicated the monument on Memorial Day 1999 after years of fundraising by the Squalicum Harbor Fishermen’s Memorial Committee and the Whatcom Maritime Historical Society.

Retired physician and sculptor Dr. Eugene Fairbanks designed the 16-foot memorial. It features an eight-foot bronze fisherman casting a mooring line as he returns safely to port.

The bronze sculpture stands atop a 19-ton block of red granite engraved with the names of local commercial fishermen who died or disappeared while working at sea. Organizers continue adding names as additional losses occur.

The Puget Sound Gillnetters Women’s Auxiliary dedicated an earlier wooden memorial at the site in 1975. After the Lady of Good Voyage sank in the Bering Sea in 1993, community members launched a campaign to build a permanent monument. Their effort culminated in the dedication of “Safe Return” six years later.

Police continue investigating the vandalism.

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