Suspect in Grass Valley Police Department vandalism arrested

A homeless man living in Nevada County is facing felony vandalism charges after being arrested by Grass Valley Police Department in connection with the department’s shattered glass door and lobby window.

Police, who were searching for a suspect following Wednesday night’s vandalism, used surveillance footage to locate Adam Cockrell, 35, on Friday. In addition to exterior cameras at the agency’s building, police said they used video of Cockrell buying items from a nearby store to identify him.

Officers arrested Cockrell, who was identified as a resident of Nevada City, on Friday evening. He was booked at the Nevada County Jail for felony vandalism.

Cockrell has previously spoken with the Union, newspaper in Grass Valley in April, advocating for more housing for the homeless during the pandemic. Cockrell identified himself as a homeless person who could not find shelter.

The department closed the lobby following the incident, as a rock had been thrown through the door. The building will remain closed to the public for safety reasons until workers can complete repairs, according to the department’s Facebook post.

Officers will continue to answer calls for services, the department said.

Cockrell is being held on $10,000 bail.