MALTBY — Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives and the FBI are investigating graffiti that appears to be from the Earth Liberation Front and aimed at two businesses targeted before by the domestic terrorists.
The graffiti appears to be intended for “MBA” and “KRKO,” apparent references to the Master Builders’ Association and Everett’s KRKO-AM 1380 radio station.
On Sept. 4, two recently built radio towers owned by KRKO were toppled. A sign with the initials ELF, the terrorist group’s initials, was found nearby.
A similar sign was found in March 2008 after someone set fire to new luxury homes in the Maltby area built for the Street of Dreams, where local builders show off custom homes.
The graffiti was found earlier this week sprayed on buildings in an industrial park in Maltby. The words could be easily read from nearby Highway 522.
“MBA KRKO/Snotdol Empire. If you continue to risk killing children, mother earth and her creations, all your holdings are targets. Rise up earth children, ever, ever, ever, ever so carefully. They watch everything. The time is now. Authentic ELF? Ask ATF/FBI about restricted water mains. Little water, better burn. ELF.”
Federal officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are investigating the terrorist group.
Andy Skotdal, the owner of KRKO, declined to comment about the graffiti.
“We would take that message as a serious threat and it’s not acceptable,” said Mike Pattison, a spokesman for the Master Builders’ Association.
The most recent vandalism was reported to the FBI, Special Agent Fred Gutt said.
No arrests have been made in any of the ELF-related vandalism or arsons in Snohomish County and Camano Island. Since 2004, ELF is blamed for causing around $11 million in property damage.
Skotdal said Thursday he’s replacing the toppled radio towers.
“We’re moving ahead on getting that put all back together,” he said. “It’s just a question of how quickly we can get the materials.”
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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