Pittsburg police arrest suspect for second time, after businesses vandalized

Police had to free wanted over COVID-19 restrictions

KTVU's Henry Lee reports.

PITTSBURG, Calif. - Pittsburg police said a homeless man who had been arrested and released earlier on Sunday was arrested again hours later, after multiple businesses were vandalized, causing extensive damage.

Pittsburg police arrest man for second time on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2021, on charges of vandalism. The arrest came not long after he was cited and released because he could not be held at the county jail due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Investigators said officers had initially arrested the suspect, Donald Guenther, 41, who his homeless, on Sunday night for an outstanding warrant. But he ended up being cited and released because the Contra Costa County jail could not hold him due to state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions, according to police.

Not long after, officers came upon the suspect again early Monday, when they responded to reports that businesses along Railroad Avenue had been vandalized.

Police arrived to find windows of businesses including Starbucks, Al’s Donuts, and Sunshine Cafe shattered. A trash can was kicked over and garbage was strewn on the sidewalk, and at least one car was also vandalized. Investigators said the suspect caused thousands of dollars in damage.

Guenther was arrested again and brought to county jail, where this time he was accepted, police said. But he was released from custody later Monday morning, again because of pandemic protocols.

Pittsburg police and other law-enforcement agencies say repeat offenders are taking advantage of the situation, getting arrested over and over, with no real consequence.

"Officers are frustrated," said Officer Kyle Dickson of the Pittsburg Police Department. "However, these are the guidelines that are put in place by those who are above us."

Dickson added, "I want the public to know, to assure them, that police are doing the best we can to hold people accountable."

Pittsburg Mayor Merl Craft says officers - and the public - are being placed in a difficult position.

"I'm not sure that something can be done, and I think we're all stuck in a limbo and we're all suffering equally," Craft said.