Arcata Police Department press release:

On 9/02/2014 at about 1:30am, Arcata Police Department Officers were conducting a stolen bike sting in the 600 block of F Street based upon the report of a citizen’s bicycle being stolen at that location several hours earlier.  The operation was conducted by both uniformed and plainclothes officers.

While conducting surveillance of the “bait” bicycle, an officer viewed an adult male subject exit a local business and spray paint graffiti on an exterior wall.  Responding officers quickly located the subject, identified as Arcata resident Walter Alexis Palacios Diaz (age 24), and placed him into custody. 

Diaz was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for PC 594(a)(2) - Vandalism and PC 594.2(a) - Possession of Vandalism Tools.