A California man who attempted to burn down the Republican Party of Humboldt headquarters is free to roam the streets after spending only a day in jail before posting bail.
According to KRCR News, Eureka Police Department officers responded to a call early in the morning of a man smashing the windows at the Republican headquarters. A witnessed provided a description of the suspect and claimed he was seen riding a bicycle in the direction of the bay.
Officers quickly arrived at the scene and found the man on the Boardwalk. They claimed that the suspect tried to flee the scene on bike but was detained after a short pursuit. According to the EPD, the suspect was found holding a “Trump” political flag. His bicycle had a “Bernie” political sticker tacked on, according to the police report.
The man was identified as 43-year-old Michael Valls of Eureka and was found possessing items connecting him to the vandalism on 5th Street, police stated.
In the investigation, police claimed they found three large front plate glass windows that were apparently shattered.
Police added that a “Trump” political flag was taken from inside one of the shattered windows, which matched the flag Valls had in his possession.
A liquid chemical was also found inside the building. Humboldt Bay Fire arrived at the scene and discovered that the liquid was flammable, the EPD recollected.
Valls was arrested and sent to Humboldt County Correctional Facility for attempted arson, burglary, felony vandalism, resisting arrest and providing a false name.
Valls was held in jail on $25,000 bail Saturday. He would later be bailed out on Sunday.
This was not an isolated incident.
On numerous occasions, vandals have targeted the Humboldt GOP headquarters in Eureka.