Fort Bragg police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with a violent sexual assault that occurred in the early hours of June 21, 2025, after a weeklong investigation that began with only a brief video of a masked suspect.
According to a June 28 press release from the Fort Bragg Police Department, officers served two search warrants at a residence in the 100 block of South McPherson Street around 8 a.m. During the operation, police contacted multiple individuals, including the suspect, who was detained and interviewed by the lead investigator. A search of the home turned up several pieces of evidence allegedly linking the suspect not only to the June 21 assault, but to other open cases of burglary and prowling.
Chief Neil Cervenka told MendoFever that while officers seized several items from the residence believed to connect the suspect to the sexual assault and other cold cases, the department could not yet disclose what was found. “You can ask, but I can’t tell you,” Cervenka said. “We can’t risk the investigations.”
Police say Cayden Craig, 23, of Fort Bragg, was arrested based on statements made during the interview and evidence recovered from the scene. He has been booked into the Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of rape, burglary, and false imprisonment. A bail enhancement was granted, and his bail is currently set at $1,000,000.
These charges have not been proven in a court of law. Craig is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and tenacity of our officers on this investigation,” Police Chief Neil Cervenka said in the press release. “While they started with only a brief video of a masked subject, over the course of one week they chased every lead, conducted surveillance, obtained search warrants, located direct evidence to several crimes, and made an arrest of the person suspected of a violent crime. Demonstrating they are committed to the safety of our community.”
The arrest follows a public call for help issued by the department shortly after the attack. Officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of South Harrison Street around 3 a.m. on June 21, where a woman reported being sexually assaulted by a masked intruder. According to the initial police release, the suspect knocked on the victim’s window before forcing his way inside and assaulting her.
Surveillance footage showed a man wearing a neck-gaiter style mask, a hooded sweatshirt, and leggings walking between South Harrison and Hazel streets between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. that morning. In the days that followed, officers canvassed the neighborhood, interviewed residents, and collected surveillance video in an effort to trace the suspect’s path.
In recent days, other images have circulated within Fort Bragg social media pages showing a similarly built individual wearing shorts and what appeared to be high heels. Asked whether the man arrested was the same individual depicted in those images, Chief Neil Cervenka told MendoFever, “We have to do more investigation.”
The department is continuing to ask the public for help. Community members are encouraged to review home surveillance systems and submit any relevant footage through the department’s community portal. The portal allows for both named and anonymous submissions and accepts images, videos, and short descriptions of the time and location of suspicious activity. All evidence is uploaded directly to a secure system used by investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Farris at (707) 964-2800 ext. 225 or via email at gfarris@fortbraggca.gov. Sergeant Jonathan McLaughlin is handling media inquiries and can be reached at jmclaughlin@fortbraggca.gov.
Police say the community portal will remain open as the investigation continues.
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Don’t you always include a statement these are only allegations that must be proved in court? One of your readers midget end up on a jury in this case.
You never need due process – a hearing before an impartial judge and jury — or the presumption of innocence until you’re accused of a crime.
Masked ICE agents, masked vigilantes, masked Proud Boys, masked Oath Keepers, masked KKK nitwits, and masked rapists– all running around causing untold atrocities on the general population. What has become of this country?
I haven’t heard of any that you mentioned. I have seen masked looters, aggressive protesters, antifa and Karen’s at the supermarket. I know a lot of places used to ban masks , not since covid when the world got crazy and upside down.. But yeah, thus is wacky world. Everyone should have their head on a swivel
Thanks Karen! I’ll keep an eye out at Safeway for sure.
If you haven’t heard about masked ICE agents it’s because you’re a coward with their head buried in the sand. US Citizens (are supposed to…) have rights and the US Government is refusing to protect those. But of course, the “Don’t Tread On Me” crowd is suspiciously quiet when the government starts treading.
They’re doing the exact same thing that Republicans were terrified of during the Obama years, putting people in camps. But looky here! Apparently now it’s ok to put people in camps without trial after all.
Surprised you haven’t heard about masked ICE agents disappearing civilians. Maybe you should pay more attention
If you haven’t heard of any masked people posing as ICE agents around the country then you need to expand your news sources. Google it. Of course this is going to happen if ICE agents in unmarked vans, wearing masks, and without identifying themselves are allowed to apprehend people. There’s zero difference between them and kidnappers. That this approach is allowed is absurd and unwise, and is what goes on in banana republics. This is how far America has fallen… And, by the way, “antifa” is shorthand for anti-fascist.” The right coopted this word to mean something bad, but we should ALL be antifa –that is if you love America and respect our democratic republic.
Good work and thank you law enforcement!
Hopefully the accused left some solid DNA at the scene of this horrible crime and can be convicted and dealt a lengthy and harsh sentence.
This is a great job done by the police and investigators! This was a horrible crime and one can only wonder if this is the only rape he has committed.
Prayers to the victim of this heinous crime
Risey O Donnell “marked safe” from Rape, like most angry short haired Liberal women.
Never had much luck with with the ladies, eh Raylan?
Sorry Raylan but she’s just not into you! You gotta move on buddy, there’s other fish in the sea.
rosie odonnell is a liberal? wtf? she’s a psycho trump tard
Thank god he’s been caught. Now remember all the lunatics accusing the rapist of being illegal & a mexican? Well what do we have here.. NOT EITHER ONE…. Hes as white as can be.. whos the criminals again? Dont get mad at the truth. I’m just the messenger
They’re always going to be that way because they’re mentally children. Lie, point the finger elsewhere, start a temper-tantrum about something else. The same tactics used by children who haven’t learned to take responsibility for their actions. They won’t get mad at the truth, they’ll just ignore it. Instead they’ll get mad at you and call you a marxist/antifa/liberal/demonrat etc etc. Because, again, that’s what children do.
I think we all know this guy’s future & that of his future victims once released from his all too short prison sentence. 23yr white male, wearing peculiar attire, committing this kind of crime, & in the fashion in which he did it, is a true crime doc/podcast we’ve all seen before. This man is a sexual deviant & will kill someone before his pathetic life is over.
Weird wondering “What was he wearing?” about the perp… High heels? Leggings? Pics please!!!
Interesting that when a woman is raped people talk about everything but the rape.
A young man looking for power and no knowledge of how his childhood led to this.
What is there to talk about? Do you REALLY want details?
No, but not Rosie o Donnel/race relations either
I was a frequent victim of these crimes. Every Woman, Child, and person should be carrying a gun!!!!
I wanna know who took my hot water heater from my wagon 13 years ago you fuukers
Someone took mine too
WHat color WaS IT
Private Messegae me
that brandan guy needs to mind his own buisness. get off my thread pervert
Give Brown back his stuff theif!!!!!
Thank you for speaking up. We need more brave americans like you
THank you
I hope nobody steals your stuff ever again.