Vandal Will Be Extradited

TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma authorities plan to extradite an Arkansas man charged two years ago with vandalizing the golf course at Southern Hills Country Club, the site of this week’s U.S. Open.

The Carroll County, Ark., sheriff’s department arrested Richard William Jones on Saturday and was holding him in jail, a dispatcher said Tuesday.

Jones was charged in September 1999 for felony malicious injury to property after he had left Oklahoma.

In June 1999, the golf course at Southern Hills was sprayed with a substance that killed grass and left behind impressions of profanity and swastikas, according to a police affidavit. Twelve greens were damaged, including eight on the championship course.

Club officials were forced to to replace the damaged greens.

In a message etched in the grass, the vandal threatened to return for the U.S. Open.

As of Tuesday, Tulsa County authorities said they did not believe Jones had waived extradition. He was being held in Eureka Springs, Ark.

Southern Hills officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

“We will definitely go pick him up if he waives and we’ll definitely pursue a governor’s warrant if he fights it,” said Cyndi Johnston, extraditions clerk for the Tulsa County sheriff’s department.

If Jones fights extradition, the governors of both states could agree to compel him to return to Oklahoma to face charges. Oklahoma authorities have 90 days to obtain extradition, Johnston said.

Jones, who was recently employed at an Arkansas golf course, worked on the grounds crew at Southern Hills when the vandalism occurred.