Suspect accused of vandalizing yacht club

Published 1:30 am Friday, June 19, 2020

A judge ruled that a man accused of vandalizing property and boats at the Sandy Hook Yacht Club June 13 has to be evaluated by a mental health professional before he can be released from jail.

During a hearing Monday, Island County Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock reserved setting bail for Hunter Brydges, 61, until after a designated crisis responder evaluates him in order to decide whether a civil commitment process should move forward.

If the crisis responder doesn’t find reason to hold Brydges, Hancock said he wanted the crisis responder to appear in court to explain the decision.

Deputy Prosecutor Michael Safstrom said he had been contacted by a couple of neighbors who felt Brydges had a psychological break, and they feared for their lives.

Deputies with the Island County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brydges on June 13 on suspicion of malicious mischief in the first degree, vehicle prowling in the second degree and trespassing.

The harbormaster told deputies that Brydges had caused extensive damage to the facility and vessels early in the morning. Brydges ripped out signs at the pier, damaged the electric meter, shattered the glass on fire extinguisher boxes, destroyed lights, ripped out a faucet and caused other damage, a deputy’s report states.

Brydges allegedly punctured holes in the cowling of a 24-foot Day Cruiser, ripped a hole in a radar unit, destroyed a depth finder and shattered a glass doorway and window.

He is also accused of shattering a windshield and window on a 34-foot yacht, the report states.

The total damage is estimated at more than $7,000.

The deputy wrote that Brydges had previously been accused of trespassing and vandalism at the yacht club.

While the deputies were investigating, Brydges approached a deputy from the other side of a fence, yelled at him and then climbed over. He was arrested.