A Westerly property owner making a legal challenge against Rhode Island’s new shoreline access law has been charged with repeatedly vandalizing a beach right-of-way sign near his home.
Police said David M. Roth, who owns a $10.8 million property in Watch Hill with his wife but resides in West Hartford, Connecticut, spray-painted a beach access sign four times since May.
Chief Paul Gingerella said Roth, 76, was arrested on Aug. 29 by Westerly police after an officer spotted him at night near the newly replaced sign and witnessed Roth throw a can of Rust-Oleum spray paint into nearby bushes.
“We’re assuming he was going to get ready to do it again,” Gingerella said by telephone.
Roth was transported to the station, processed and charged on four counts of misdemeanor vandalism, Gingerella said.
This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.
