A Redwood Valley man was convicted this week of a vandalism spree affecting multiple Ukiah businesses last September, the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office reported.

According to the office of DA David Eyster, a Mendocino County Superior Court jury on Wednesday found Aldar S. Fragoso, 31, of Redwood Valley, guilty of two counts of felony vandalism and four counts of misdemeanor vandalism.

Fragoso was arrested by the Ukiah Police Department last fall on suspicion of tagging three downtown businesses with graffiti shortly after being released from Mendocino County Jail.

According to the UPD, officers responded to Schat's Bakery in the 100 block of West Perkins Street very early on the morning of Sept. 20 when the business owner reported that "a large flower planter in front of his business had been vandalized with spray paint, (then) pointed out several other graffiti taggings on the properties of the Ukiah Brewing Company and Jax Boutique."

The UPD reports that "the suspect had been captured on video in the commission of the taggings, and was immediately recognized by UPD officers" as Fragoso, who at the time that the graffiti was discovered was in "custody at the Mendocino County Jail, after having been arrested by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office for a separate misdemeanor graffiti vandalism on South State Street."

The UPD reports that an officer responded to the jail and "rebooked Fragoso for a felony vandalism charge with the hope that the new charge would keep him in custody pending his arraignment. At the time of this incident, Fragoso had two additional pending UPD cases for felony vandalism by way of graffiti, and was also pending being placed on Parole through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for animal cruelty. (However), Fragoso posted bail and was released later that day."

The next day around 7:45 p.m. Sept. 21, the UPD reports that an officer "was on routine patrol in a marked vehicle in the 1000 block of South State Street when a bicyclist came racing out in front of his patrol vehicle. (When) the officer followed to attempt to stop the cyclist and admonish him for his dangerous riding, the bicycle rider failed to obey the officers' commands to stop, and continued riding through the parking lot, and down into a drainage creek."

After more officers arrived to assist, the "bicyclist was found hiding in the bushes to the south of Washington Avenue, and identified as Aldar Fragoso. Fragoso, who had been out of custody for less than twelve hours, was found in possession of multiple cans of spray paint and permanent markers."

He was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and possession of graffiti tools and booked into jail, though the UPD notes that "Fragoso was later released from custody on a signed promise to appear at a future date in Mendocino County Superior Court."

The DA's office listed the affected businesses as "Schat's Bakery, the Ukiah Brewing Company, Jax Boutique, Pete's Power Wash, Super Chavez Market and the Willow County Water District, (and explained that) the difference between a felony vandalism and a misdemeanor vandalism is the amount of financial damage inflicted by the perpetrator on a property owner. A charge of felony vandalism is appropriate when the financial damage inflicted is $400 or more to fix, while a misdemeanor is charged when the cost to fix the damage is less than $400."

The DA also noted that "this week's convictions will be referred to the Mendocino County Adult Probation Department for a background investigation and sentencing recommendation. If the Strike allegation is found true on Dec. 23, the defendant's state prison exposure will be up to 88 months (7.3 years)," and expressed gratitude to "the business owners and other witnesses who took time out from operating their businesses during this busy holiday time of year to willingly appear and testify in court."