Janitor suspected in vandalism of state building in downtown Santa Rosa

A state-employed janitor snoozed in the back of a patrol car Sunday morning, suspected of vandalizing all four floors of the state building in downtown Santa Rosa as a protest of “the system.”

John Michael Jacques, 50, was arrested about 8:15 a.m., shortly after a passer-by called 911 upon seeing a man tossing items on the sidewalk from a window of the Justice Joseph A. Rattigan Building at D and Second streets.

Santa Rosa Police and CHP officers arrived to find papers, framed wall pictures, furniture and other items scattered about the building’s service dock and on the floor inside the main doors.

Two tables had been placed on the sidewalk and set with papers from inside the building and handwritten signs reading, “FREE.”

CHP Sgt. David Derczo said upon arrest, Jacques was cooperative and said he had let himself into the building with a key.

“He said this was a planned protest against the facility,” Derczo said.

Damages to property were initially estimated to be about $1,500, Derczo said, but he cautioned that was a preliminary figure and may rise when employees arrive Monday and are able to determine if other items are gone, damaged or destroyed.

“We’re not sure where things belong and what may be missing,” he said. “We’re pretty sure nothing was stolen, but we won’t know for sure until the employees arrive for work and get an idea of what’s out of place at their work stations.”

The sergeant said Jacques works in the building as a janitor employed by the state General Services Department. He reportedly told officers he has no issue with state employees, but struck out at the building to protest “the system.”

Derczo said Jacques also worked five or six months ago as a part-time janitor at the CHP offices on Labath Avenue in Rohnert Park. It appears he paid a visit to the CHP office before he arrived at the state building at about 5 a.m.

At the CHP building early Sunday, an officer found a package containing several cans of soda and, on top, a CHP hat.

After arresting Jacques and placing him in the backseat of a CHP cruiser, officers entered the state building. They discovered that framed photos, including that of Joe Rattigan, the late state appellate court justice and senator, had been removed from the walls. The glass in some frames had been broken.

Potted plants were dumped. The divider between two restroom urinals was ripped from the wall. A torn-off “restroom” signed was dumped into a toilet. The floors were littered with various state pamphlets and informational publications that had been displayed for public use.

Officers said they also found unintelligible notes from Jacques.

“There are four floors in the building and they all were affected,” said Derczo. The CHP is responsible for security at state-owned buildings.

Officers and building managers remained there until Sunday evening, completing a search of the entire building.

“We searched the building and ensured it was safe,” he said. “We wanted to assure nothing was suspicious.”

According to officers, Jacques said he was not sure if he had arrived at the building in his pickup or on his bicycle.

Shortly after his arrest, officers hadn’t yet located his truck or bike.

Jacques also told arresting officers he had tuberculosis, a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs and can be spread by coughing.

Derczo said no medications were found, and Jacques said he was out of the contagious period. He wasn’t showing any symptoms of being sick, Derczo said.

Jacques was being held at Sonoma County Jail on $10,000 bail on suspicion of two felonies: burglary and vandalism. His first court appearance was set for Tuesday.

Staff Writer Lori A. Carter contributed to this story.