Modesto Police Department News Release

MAN ARRESTED AFTER HOTEL VANDALISM INCIDENT

Modesto, CA – An intoxicated man vandalized property at a Modesto hotel.  He assaulted a police canine during his arrest.

On Sunday, at about 7:55 pm, Modesto Police were dispatched to the Vagabond Hotel at 1525 McHenry Avenue to investigate vandalism incident.  Hotel staff said a man, later identified as 37-year-old Modesto resident Nicholas Cooper, was vandalizing hotel property, jumping from his second story balcony, and threatening hotel staff and patrons.  Prior to police arrival, Cooper threw a piece of furniture into the hotel pool and jumped onto the top of a parked moving truck.

Responding officers found Cooper in his hotel room.  They tried, on two separate occasions, to encourage Cooper to come out of his room.  Cooper refused the officers commands, even after being told that staff was evicting him from the hotel.  Officers used a pass key to open the door and they found that Cooper had partially barricaded the door with other furniture and he had locked the safety lock near the top of the door.  Officers were able to force the door open.

Once in the room, Cooper concealed one of his hands behind his back and refused numerous commands to remove it.  A police canine was deployed and Cooper began punching the dog moments later.  A second officer used a taser to momentarily incapacitate Cooper to prevent him from injuring the dog and preventing further injury to himself and other officers.

Cooper was arrested for vandalism, trespassing, public intoxication and resisting arrest.  He was booked at the Stanislaus County jail after a routine medical clearance.

Hotel staff said the damage Cooper caused could easily reach into the thousands of dollars.

For further information about this press release please contact Sergeant Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.