Hollister Police: Vandalism suspect was already in custody on unrelated charges by the time he was identified
A Hollister man is facing felony charges of vandalism after allegedly defacing several city planters downtown, police say.
On the morning of Thursday, November 4, officers responded to the area of San Benito and Fourth Streets to investigate reports that several of the planters displayed along city sidewalks had been either damaged or destroyed.
Officers obtained surveillance footage from nearby business which showed the suspect, but not clearly enough to make an identification or arrest. However, one officer recognized the suspect’s clothing as that of a local homeless man, identified as 49-year-old Matthew Goodsell.
As it turned out, by the time he was identified as the suspect, Goodsell was already in custody on suspicion of battery on a peace officer and violation of parole.
