Pierce County prosecutors have charged a 23-year-old man with vandalizing a Sound Transit Sounder train, causing $2,860 in damage.
Justin Caine Steik pleaded not guilty to second-degree malicious mischief Wednesday during his arraignment. Prosecutors said more charges may be pending and the King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating him for similar incidents.
Steik is believed to have caused $25,000 worth of damage in a single day earlier this month by etching “loser” and “eat my shorts” into a Sounder train in King County. In just one car, seven windows, eight door windows and two bathroom windows were damaged.
On Aug. 22, a conductor at the Tacoma Freighthouse Square reported seeing Steik get on a train and act suspicious. She noticed two bathroom windows had been etched after he left the restroom.
Detectives decided to conduct surveillance at the Tacoma station and watched Steik etch a window, according to charging papers.
He was taken into custody and a small grinding bit believed to be used for the vandalism was recovered.
stacia.glenn@ thenewstribune.com
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