Hammer-wielding man arrested after attempted dognapping in Capitola

CAPITOLA, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A man was arrested in Capitola after attempting to steal a dog away from a family on Capitola Beach.

According to the Capitola Police Department, a suspect was reported as waving a hammer in the Village area of the city.

Once identified by multiple callers, officers found the man on Stockton Bridge holding driftwood. After a brief spell of uncooperativeness including damage to a patrol car, he was detained without incident.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the man in question had tried to take a dog away from a vacationing family at the beach. He had started to threaten the family, including children, with a large hammer.

The unidentified suspect was arrested on multiple charges including brandishing a deadly weapon, animal abuse, and vandalism.