Man charged with vandalism, held with bail set at $75,000

Fire

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Department 1 will be available for cases normally heard by Judge Patricia Kelly in Department 8, the courtroom Mr. Parker now describes as a “total loss.”

The incident began when the suspect, Eric Spies, 31, allegedly went to the court complex Saturday night, ignored a security guard’s order to leave and broke two glass doors to gain entry into the criminal court building, Mr. Parker said.

Once inside, he allegedly forced his way into the Department 8 courtroom, pulling the doors so hard that he actually broke the wood frames on the top of the doors, Mr. Parker said.

Mr. Spies then allegedly started a fire on the defense counsel’s chair, which spread to the table and carpet. Mr. Parker said the fire was so hot that it melted the lights in the ceiling and caused the sprinklers to come on.

He said the sprinklers extinguished the fire, but it took so much water that it pretty much destroyed the courtroom. He said the water was 2 inches deep at some points.

Water also infiltrated the courtroom’s adjacent holding cells, but spared the judge’s chambers and court clerk offices, Mr. Parker said.

Santa Maria police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday.

Police arrested Mr. Spies and booked him into the Northern Branch Jail, with bail set at $75,000.

According to Mr. Parker, the incident began after Mr. Spies received a notice about an upcoming hearing and went to the court complex to see where he had to show up next month on another criminal matter.

“I don’t know his motivation but he told the security guard he wanted to see where to report to court in March,” Mr. Parker said.

The charge? “Vandalism.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com