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The unsatisfactory conditions of the road leading into a remote town in Yavapai County caused a Phoenix man to leave some constructive criticism stuck to roadsigns in the area. The suggestions weren’t well received by local law enforcement, though, and the man was arrested for vandalism.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged two-month vandalism spree came to an end on Saturday morning, when deputies arrested 57-year-old William Leigh Dougan after watching him tag several roadsigns leading into Crown King.
Dougan had bumper stickers saying things like “Put Our Tax Dollars to Work Efficiently,” and “Grade the whole damned road, not just parts of it,” which he’s been putting on roadsigns in the area for the last two months.
In total, deputies estimate the damage cost about $5,000.
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Dougan was caught after deputies put tax dollars to use in a way that probably won’t get the William Leigh Dougan seal of approval.
After noticing the signs were being vandalized, deputies launched an investigation, which included talking to witnesses and putting the area under police surveillance.
On Saturday morning, deputies saw a white truck matching the description of the vehicle the suspect was driving.
Deputies watched as the truck made multiple stops at multiple roadsigns. During each stop, the driver would get out, slap a sticker on the sign, and drive off.
Deputies stopped the vehicle and found Dougan. In his pocket: several bumper-sticker size labels.
Dougan told police he lives in Phoenix but frequently goes to Crown King to camp and chill out. When he got frustrated with the condition of the road, he says, he told police, he had the labels made and began posting them on roadsigns.
Dougan’s been charged with felony vandalism.
