Suspect in smashing of Fresno police car windows previously deported

Juan Alvarado, 42, identified by Fresno police as the suspect who smashed patrol vehicle windows at a police substation Wednesday, is a convicted felon who was previously deported from the United States on attempted arson charges, police said.

Alvarado’s deportation took place after he was arrested in 2015 on charges of trying to set a gasoline station on West Shaw Avenue near Golden State Boulevard on fire, said police spokesman Joe Gomez. Alvarado was previously arrested 50 times on other charges, including drug offenses, parole violations and warrants, Gomez said.

Officers arrested Alvarado Wednesday after he allegedly smashed the back windows on three police cruisers parked at the substation at Dakota and Hughes avenues in central Fresno. Gomez said it appeared that Alvarado used a full beer can to smash the windows while heavily intoxicated. He was arrested by police about a block from the substation after he was pointed out by a witness. He is charged with felony vandalism, parole violation and public intoxication. He is being held in Fresno County Jail.

Gomez said the attempted arson case that led to Alvarado’s deportation took place after Alvarado was ordered by a clerk to leave the Valero gasoline station and tried to set a gasoline pump on fire with a burning stick.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Suspect in smashing of Fresno police car windows previously deported."