A spree of vandalism and theft that spanned several days and targeted local schools and car dealerships has concluded with an arrest. The Folsom Police Department has reported that 23-year-old Abel Yemane was apprehended and is behind bars, connected to a series of crimes including spray-painted schools and the brazen theft of a vehicle from a dealership.
Starting on Tuesday, the suspect allegedly shattered glass windows at a Folsom car dealership in an attempt to steal vehicle keys, only to discover they didn't match. He left the scene just before the police arrived. According to a social media post from the Folsom Police Department, Yemane stepped up his game two days later by forcing entry into another dealership, stealing a key fob, and driving a stolen car right through the glass doors.
However, his escape was short-lived thanks to modern technology. A GPS tracker enabled the quick location of the stolen car in a neighboring city. Yemane, already wanted for connection with five felony vandalism cases that involved damage to local schools, was pursued for his crimes. Community concerns over the nature of the vandalization were addressed in the police statement, "We understand there was concern in the community about what was being spray-painted, and we want you to know we take every concern seriously," as reported by the Folsom Police Department.
With collaboration across the board, Folsom's patrol, school resource officers, and detectives managed to locate and arrest Yemane. He faces eight felony charges, which include vandalism, burglary, and vehicle theft. After his capture, he was booked into the Sacramento County Jail. The Folsom Police Department's efforts to ease community concern are reflected in their statement, "Our team recognizes the impact this type of behavior has on students, parents, and staff."
