Suspect faces multiple felony charges with bail set at $265,000
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on multiple felony charges after a string of vandalism incidents this week that damaged two Folsom schools and multiple auto dealerships, according to the Folsom Police Department.
The spree unfolded over several days. Police said it began Tuesday morning, September 16, when an adult male shattered glass windows at a local car dealership and attempted to steal vehicle keys before fleeing on foot. Later that night, graffiti and extensive damage were discovered at Folsom High School and Sandra Gallardo Elementary. A total of 14 windows were found broken at Folsom High, while both campuses were defaced with spray paint.
School leaders, in a shared statement to families, described the incidents as “discouraging and disruptive,” but reassured parents that “student and staff safety is our top priority.” Crews worked quickly to clean graffiti and secure damaged buildings.
Two days later, on Thursday, September 18, the suspect struck again at another dealership in the Folsom Auto Mall. According to police, he forced entry, stole a key fob, and drove a vehicle straight through the dealership’s glass doors before fleeing. Thanks to a GPS tracker, the stolen vehicle was quickly located in a neighboring city.
Detectives identified the suspect as Abel Yemane, a former Folsom High School student, who was already being sought in connection with five felony vandalism cases tied to the school incidents. Yemane was arrested at a local motel, where officers also recovered the stolen vehicle, spray paint, rocks, and the stolen car’s key. Police noted he was wearing clothing that matched surveillance video from the school vandalism.
In their report, the department addressed community concern about the graffiti and damage. “We understand there was concern in the community about what was being spray-painted, and we want you to know we take every concern seriously,” police said. “Our team recognizes the impact this type of behavior has on students, parents, and staff.”
Folsom Police added that the arrest was the result of teamwork between patrol officers, School Resource Officers, and detectives. “Through the combined efforts of patrol, School Resource Officers, and detectives, Yemane was taken into custody and arrested on eight felony charges, including vandalism, burglary, and vehicle theft,” the department wrote in its report.
Yemane was booked into the Sacramento County Jail. According to jail records, he is facing a total of eight felony counts. Those charges include felony auto theft and unlawful driving of a vehicle, receiving a known stolen vehicle, two separate counts of burglary, and five felony vandalism counts for causing damage exceeding $400 at multiple locations. The combined bail for the charges has been set at $265,000.
Yemane is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday afternoon.
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