Fort Bragg Man Arrested for Vandalizing City Hall

This is a press release from the Fort Bragg Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty:

On 04/12/2026 at approximately 1736 hours, Officers of the Fort Bragg Police Department were dispatched to a report of vandalism to the Fort Bragg City Hall, located at 416 N. Franklin Street.

Upon arrival, officers located the vandalism and began searching for the suspect based on a description provided by reporting parties. Shortly thereafter, officers located and detained the suspect identified as Nicolas Kerttula, 27 years of age of Fort Bragg. Through their investigation and witness statements Kerttula was positively identified and arrested. 

During the investigation, officers determined there were no direct threats made towards city staff. Kerttula was booked into the Mendocino County Jail for the charge of 594(b)(1) PC, vandalism in excess of $400. 

The City would like to remind the community that if you observe suspicious or concerning behavior, including vandalism in progress, please contact dispatch immediately. In this instance, earlier reporting may have allowed for a quicker response and reduced the extent of the cleanup/damage. Timely communication helps ensure the safety of our community and protects public facilities. 

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Officer James of the Fort Bragg Police Department at (707)961-2800 ext. 231.