WATSONVILLE — A Watsonville man was arrested Saturday after allegedly breaking numerous windows of businesses and vehicles downtown, including at the Watsonville Police Department.
Peter Fermin Gil, 31, was charged with felony vandalism because the estimated damage exceeds $10,000, according to Watsonville Police Sgt. Henry Robles. Gil was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Police responded to a report that a man was breaking windows with a baseball bat in the area of the library on the 200 block of Main Street at about 11:10 p.m.
Witnesses said they followed Gil as he broke windows of businesses as he moved down Main Street. Gil arrived at the police department at 215 Union St., where he broke several windows.
Gil was arrested without force.
According to Watsonville Police Sgt. Mike Ridgway, police responding to the call recognized Gil as being in a possible drug induced state of a medical emergency, and called paramedics.
Gil was transported to Watsonville Community Hospital before being taken to jail.
In all, Gil allegedly vandalized more than five businesses, two vehicles, and the police department.
Several witnesses reportedly took cell phone video of Gil’s crime spree.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Watsonville Police Department at 471-1151, the anonymous tip line at 768-3544, or the Watsonville Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 768-3352.
