A man recently released from custody in Oregon allegedly wandered through downtown Whitefish in late June, scratching parked vehicles with a coin.

Arrested at the Whitefish Depot on June 28, 30-year-old Anthony Robert King faces a felony criminal mischief charge in Flathead County District Court. King pleaded not guilty before Judge Dan Wilson on July 10 and remains in the county jail with bail set at $20,000.  

Whitefish Police officers began searching for King after receiving a report of a man allegedly trying to break into an SUV parked in front of a downtown Whitefish eatery about 8:40 a.m., June 28, according to court documents.  

While there, the officers were flagged down by a bystander who reported damage to his 2023 Toyota 4Runner. A vandal had scratched the exterior from the front bumper and hood to the rear passenger door, court documents said.  

A different bystander waved over another officer a few hours later to report extensive scratching to his 2017 GMC Yukon, which was parked downtown, according to court documents.  

About 45 minutes later, a caller reported watching an individual walk from car to car, allegedly scratching them with an object as he went. The individual then went inside the train station, the caller told police. 

Heading inside as well, officers crossed paths with King — the only individual in the depot matching the description given to them by witnesses, they said. King allegedly told officers he had keyed several vehicles using a nickel.  

Officers found paperwork on King from Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon indicating his recent release from custody on two counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief. The documents outlined the conditions of his release, which included a requirement that he remain law-abiding.  

Following King's arrest, investigators received several more reports of damaged vehicles, including a scratched 2022 GMC Sierra, 2025 GMC Yukon, 2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2008 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2021 Toyota Highlander. At least two of the vehicles were damaged about the same time officers began looking for King, according to court documents. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].