Local Man Arrested After Spray-painting Graffiti

December
12, 2018

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a local man after he allegedly spray-painted graffiti on vehicles and fences last night along High Cliff Road in Bay County. He also spray-painted a racial slur on the garage door of a home on the same road.

The
BCSO received multiple complaints at about 5:30 am this morning when victims awoke
to find the graffiti. Deputies arrived and noted there were also anti-law enforcement
comments in the graffiti. A search of anyone living on or near High Cliff Road
that had been arrested recently led investigators to the home of Sterling
Klippenstein. Klippenstein had been involved in the investigation of a hit and
run incident that resulted in an arrest.

When investigators went to Klippenstein’s home, he came out to talk with them with black and red spray paint on his hands. Those were the two colors of spray paint used to make the graffiti. Klippenstein was advised of his rights and placed under arrest. Klippenstein stated he had been drinking the night before and spray-painted the vehicles, home, and fences. He took BCSO investigators to where he had hidden the spray paint cans. He was charged with six counts of Felony Criminal Mischief and three misdemeanor counts of Criminal Mischief.

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Prepared
by R. Corley

Information
by Inv. J. Brock

Approved
by Chief J. Heape