Sledding resumes in Leavenworth after vandalism incident; suspect IDed

Thanks to a steady Christmas Day snowfall and a diligent cleanup crew, sledding reopened in Leavenworth after a recent incident of vandalism.

The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce posted a series of photos on its Facebook page Thursday showing kids sledding down the hill on Front Street, near the center of all the Christmas and winter fun. That also was after the area got about a foot of new snow between Christmas Day and Dec. 26.

“The City park’s crew worked quickly to remove the ruts and opened the park back up just in time for the fresh snow over Christmas and (Thursday), which the kids are enjoying,” Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Jessica Stoller said in an email to MyNorthwest Friday.

That is a marked departure from late Saturday night when that park was closed after a person driving a pickup truck plowed through the area, did donuts on and around the hill and then took off. The city of Leavenworth announced in posts on Facebook and Instagram Sunday the lawn area of Front Street Park had been closed due to what it called a “property damage incident.”

Those social media posts also contain a photo showing tire tracks and a significant amount of mud at the park.

The city of Leavenworth announced Sunday the lawn area of Front Street Park is closed due to a “property damage incident” that recently occurred. (Photo courtesy of the city of Leavenworth/facebook.com/CityofLeavenworthWashington)

What happened in Leavenworth on Dec. 21

There is a video of the vandalism incident circulating on Facebook that has more than 515,000 views. It shows a large truck doing donuts and kicking up mud and dirt in the park. The driver of the truck also got close to two people, nearly kicking up mud onto them and forcing them to run from the moving vehicle.

MyNorthwest reached out to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) for comments or a statement and did not hear back. However, it did post a report about the incident on its own Facebook page Monday.

The agency reported it’s suspect vehicle is a 2024 silver Toyota Tundra with a Texas license plate TTR1528. The suspect driver appears to be a white male in his 20s or 30s and he has not yet been identified.

In an update to the case Friday, the CCSO issued a statement on its Facebook page identifying the suspect as Zachary A. Soltis, a resident of Texas. The agency explained in its release it is working with the Chelan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to file charges against Soltis and “ensure we remain an ‘adversary’ to those would come to this County and commit crime.”

Previously, the CCSO reported that once the suspect was identified, there would be probable cause to arrest that person for reckless driving and second-degree malicious mischief.

If anyone has information on the suspect, they are urged to contact the CCSO at 509-667-6845 or submit a tip on the agency’s online website.

Tourism: Mountain coaster adds to Leavenworth as tourist destination

The city of Leavenworth doesn’t have an assessment about how much it will cost to repair the damage at this point, Stoller also said to MyNorthwest Friday. Those figures won’t be determined until they can evaluate the irrigation system in the spring, she added.

More about Leavenworth

Located in Chelan County, the Leavenworth chamber website bills it as “a charming Bavarian village nestled in the picturesque Cascade Mountains.” On Thanksgiving Day, the city transforms into a Christmas lover’s delight as lights and various holiday displays can be seen around town. Live entertainment, including choirs, carolers and bands, can be seen in the heart of downtown. Also, holiday characters make appearances, with the one and only Santa Claus as part of the mix.

Visitors can go and enjoy the lights and performances for free. The lights will stay on through February, but the Christmas events wrap up Dec. 24. Finally, for those people not comfortable driving into the mountains to get to Leavenworth, the chamber’s website has suggestions for bus tours and other forms of transportation to get there. More information about the city, including key services and forms, can be found here.

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.