Man Arrested After Breaking Windows on Cal Poly Humboldt Campus

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty:

On July 4, 2026 at approximately 12:38 a.m., an officer from the University Police Department (UPD) was patrolling the area of B Street just north of Harpst Street. Inside the fenced construction area near that location, a male subject was observed waving a wooden stick near a parked Cal Poly Humboldt vehicle. The subject was contacted by UPD and identified as Thomas Jackson Hayes, age 36, of Pierce, Colorado.

Through investigation and Hayes’ own admissions, UPD determined Hayes had entered an unlocked University shuttle vehicle, broken a side window on a separate Transit Connect campus vehicle, and broken a window at the Cal Poly Humboldt parking kiosk in that area.

Hayes was arrested for burglary (Penal Code section 459) and vandalism causing damage exceeding $400 (Penal Code section 594(a)(2).

This case has been referred to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Bail is set at $25,000.

Hayes is not enrolled as a student nor associated with the campus. This appears to be an isolated incident with no further threat to the campus.

UPD remains vigilant and dedicated to campus safety and security. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call UPD at 707-826-5555.