CUSTER, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) –  An investigation is underway after a piece of Whatcom County-owned heavy machinery was found damaged.

Whatcom County Public Works tells My Bellingham Now that staff noticed the department’s grader was missing at Clark Pit off Valley View Road on Thursday morning, Sept. 24.

They noticed track marks indicating that the grader had been driven from its previous location and found it down a steep embankment on a neighboring private property.

Public Works says it’s working with a towing company to recover the grader, if possible.

It’s valued at roughly $250,000 and is believed to have suffered significant damage.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it is actively investigating the incident.