Hollister man arrested for allegedly vandalizing city property, assaulting officer

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) The Hollister Police Department said an area man was arrested for allegedly vandalizing city property and assaulting an officer.

The City of Hollister IT manager reported to police that electronic equipment and part of the city camera system had been vandalized for the second time this month. The manager said the vandalism incident happened at around midnight Sunday caused about $1,300 in damage. Police used video and images to begin investigating.

Officer David Anderson recognized the suspect, 26-year-old Raymundo Lucas Lucatero Jr, from another recent vandalism. Anderson found Lucatero at the Briggs Building parking structure Monday morning near where items were vandalized.

Anderson said he questioned Lucatero and began to arrest him, but Lucatero allegedly resisted arrest, pushed himself away from Anderson and swung a five-foot bamboo staff at the officer.

Anderson said he used his taser, but it was not effective. Anderson said Lucatero ran down the stairs while he followed, and he eventually caught the suspect near the vehicle entry off Brigg's Alley. Anderson said Lucatero continued to resist, but other officers arrived to help.

Lucatero was arrested and booked into the San Benito County Jail on felony vandalism, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a police officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of burglary tools charges. He is also suspected in a previous vandalism incident at the same location and is being investigated in connection to a burglary at a downtown business.