By Jacob Mathias

A bench warrant is out for a Nekoosa man facing charges of criminal damage to property after allegedly slashing the tire of known female’s truck.

Blake Higdon, 32, is charged with criminal damage to property, a class A misdemeanor, which if convicted could result in a maximum sentence of up to nine months imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine or both.

Prior to the warrant, Higdon was free on a $2,000 signature bond and was to have no contact with the victim or their residence.

According to court documents, a Port Edwards Police officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Island Ave. on September 20 in regards to a reported disturbance. Upon arrival, the officer met with a woman who said she saw Higdon allegedly cause damage to a truck belonging to another woman.

The witness said Higdon drove into her driveway while she was doing dishes. She continued to wash the dishes and then heard a loud bang coming from the direction of the damaged vehicle. As she looked out the window, she saw the Higdon stand up, as he had been crouched down by the rear driver’s side of the vehicle, and quickly get into his vehicle and drive away.

Officers observed a two inch puncture in the vehicle’s tire that would have been made with a a thin, flat-edged instrument such as a knife.

When officers spoke with Higdon, he denied damaging the vehicle but said he was in the area to photograph the vehicle in connection to a possible burglary.

Higdon returns to court on October 30 at 10:00 AM for pre-trial conference.