Ardenvoir, Washington — A yearlong pellet gun vandalism investigation ended with an arrest after deputies executed a search warrant on Arden Road.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, deputies served a search warrant Feb. 7 at a residence in the 200 block of Arden Road in Ardenvoir as part of an ongoing investigation into repeated malicious mischief incidents reported by local residents. The incidents allegedly involved a neighbor shooting pellet guns at nearby homes, causing property damage.
Investigators said the activity had been occurring since 2024, with approximately 38 reported incidents and an estimated $15,000 in property damage. Residents had previously contacted law enforcement after discovering damage to their homes consistent with pellet gun impacts.
The search warrant resulted in the arrest of Matthew Taunton, a 35-year-old Ardenvoir resident. Deputies seized eight high-powered, scoped pellet guns in multiple calibers during the search. Investigators also reported discovering what they described as a “sniper’s hide” constructed on the suspect’s back porch, which was allegedly used to shoot from concealment during nighttime hours.
Taunton was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on suspicion of Malicious Mischief in the 1st and 3rd degrees, as well as Harassment and Reckless Endangerment. All allegations remain under investigation, and charges are subject to review by prosecutors.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office credited persistent investigative efforts for identifying the suspect and securing the warrant, noting the case involved repeated reports over an extended period.
The incident may be of particular relevance to local residents, commuters, and seasonal workers in the Ardenvoir area, where rural properties are spread closely together and nighttime activity can be difficult to monitor.
The investigation remains active, and deputies have not released additional details about potential court proceedings.
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