‘Masked’ man causes stir downtown

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

A man was arrested by law enforcement last week after alarming downtown workers with his behavior and appearance.

John Dinger is caught on a security camera at Spuds. Photo courtesy Spuds.

John Dinger was reported by witnesses as acting aggressive as he moved from location to location in downtown Sandpoint. The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office released a Nixle alert describing him as 6-feet, 3-inches tall, about 200 pounds and wearing a ponytail hairstyle, gray windbreaker and a “devil mask.”

Spuds employee Kait Reynolds witnessed Dinger come into the restaurant and described his face as covered with what appeared to be red paint. She said he was acting strange and disoriented as he purchased some small food items.

Dinger was later arrested for possession of meth and illegally hopping a train.