Fort Bragg man allegedly peeped into the windows of two other women, came back to break in once before June 21 rape of different victim. Now faces charges in 4 separate cases

Were there more possible victims? Cayden Craig now charged with two window peeping crimes, a burglary and then the June 21 rape duiring a 40-day crime spree on North Lincoln, South Sanderson and S Harrison streets- at least.

Cayden Paul Craig, 23 will be arraigned Wednesday morning, July 2, on a charge of forcible rape for attacking a Fort Bragg woman in her home on June 21. His alleged break-in led to one of the most terrifying cases in recent Mendocino Coast history. Stranger rapes are rare. Many women in our community were terrified until police arrested the 23-year-old Craig. The press releases issued indicated sexual assault, not rape, but police arrested him on suspcion of forcible rape and that is now the charge he faces. An allegation of false imprisonment was not charged by the district attorney.

After detailing the charges in the Jun 21 attack that had been widely publicized, District Attorney David Eyster then dropped a bomb in the form of three more charges involving two more women. Those crimes took place on three different dates, starting on May 12.  

The crime spree in the charges (possibly not the only incidents that took place) allegedly began on May 12,  in the 100-200 block of South Sanderson, an area surrounded by Fort Bragg’s elementary schools and high school.

People were already talking about a mysterious stalker at the time the rape happened. There was at least one report of a peeping Tom made on social media before the rape became big news, prompting many to voice complaints about whether this crime was getting the attention it deserved.. Numerous studies and criminal histories show that rapists generally start out as flashers or peepers, then accelerate to stalking, burglary, rape and sometimes even murder. Did police act quickly enough when the stalker calls came in? The suspect kept himself covered from head to toe in the latest case and worked in the darkness of the early morning hours, so identifying him would have been difficult. There have been other peepers arrested in Fort Bragg, so police do act when finding someone among the dozens of people dressed all in black, with faces covered in Fort Bragg on a given night. But should a call of warning have gone out when three reports were filed in a short time? Were all three of these cases actually reported at the time? This remains to be seen.
Such escalation from window peeper to rapist often occurs over the course of years The charges filed on July 1 against Craig show the acceleration happening over a 40-day crime spree in central Fort Bragg. More victims are possible, both in the past and recently. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Fort Bragg police.

Eyster also filed two enhancements against Craig, one for the June 21 rape and the other for a June 13 burglary. (An enhancement is a legal filing that increases the penalty of certain charges if convicted). A conviction on the rape with enhancement would come with a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In filing charges on the June 21 rape, nothing is revealed about the victim. The enhancement in the written complaint is that the crime took place during the commission of a burglary, which would make the penalty life in prison without the possibility of parole, Eyster’s complaint states.

However, in the charging documents posted for Tuesday morning’s court appearance, a different enhancement seems to be indicated (see below)

Eyster then lays out the alleged 40-day crime spree in the charging documents:

•Charge # 2: 

Misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, peeking into an inhabited dwelling on May 12

The charging documents allege in this case, on May 12, “Craig did then and there loiter, prowl, and wander upon the private property of another in the 100-200 block of South Sanderson Street, ‘without visible or lawful business with the owner and occupant thereof.”  

•Charge #3 

Misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, peeking into an inhabited dwelling on June 4. This charge repeats the same lingo as charge number one, but this window peeping incident occurred in the 200 block of North Lincoln Street.

Charge #4 

Felony charge of burglary with a person inside. In that case, Craig is accused of returning to the home of the woman on Lincoln Street, where he peeped in the window and broke in while she was home. Eyster also added an enhancement in that case. Police press releases say the rape took palce in the 400 block of South Harrison Street.

Craig is a 2021 graduate of Mendocino High School. He worked for a Fort Bragg fast food restaurant; it’s uncertain if he worked there during the crime spree. He was sometimes seen at Fort Bragg’s skate park and enjoyed skateboard. He was also well known in the dog park with his dog. He was well-liked at the dog park and people expressed shock and wondered if there could be a mix up. One person remembers him for finding and picking up half-smoked cigarettes and relighting and smoking them.

Booking logs in California and other states once provided booking photos. However, a case brought by an inmate against an Arizona sheriff who became world famous for dressing inmates in pink and other means of humiliation resulted in a decision that stopped all posting of booking photos in California and other states.

The attacker was completely covered in gator mask, hoodie, black clothing and leggings in the video police circulated of him. There was  confusion over the height and build of the perpetrator. Finally, a study of a video that was circulated was scientifically analyzed, but even then, a wide range of heights, from 5-7 to over six feet tall was provided. The man in the video was completely covered up.  

Craig was arrested in the 100 block of S. McPherson Street. During the officer’s interview with Craig, he made incriminating statements, Fort Bragg Police press releases stated.  

Craig does not match many of the videos and images on social media during the police search for Craig. Certain people targeted homeless people and trans people, the latter presumably because the suspect was described as wearing leggings. Several people suggested that a particular tall trans person in their 50s was the suspect.  Craig is 6-3 and 185 lbs, according to the sheriff’s booking log.  Craig is innocent until proven guilty. A bunch of angry people with no stake in the case,, outside of the victim’s circle, can easily cloud a case like this. Any other possible victims should come forward by contacting FB Police, using the portal below.

The filing leaves open the possibility that the June 21 rape case may have involved a victim who is a minor, although no age has been disclosed.  The allegation attached to the rape charges, as listed below use a section of the penal code reserved for crimes against minors. 

Mendocinocoast.news had not yet reached authorities about the filing, which appeared Tuesday in the late afternoon on the county’s court docket.  The court file indicates that the case is currently assigned to the Fort Bragg courthouse and Judge Clay Brennan. But that often changes after arraignment. The arraignment Wednesday morning is scheduled for 8:30 a.m at the Ukiah courthouse with a visiting judge presiding.  It is possible it will be held without bringing Craig to court, such as by Zoom from the jail. An arraignment is a chance for the defendant to enter a plea, possibly meet his attorney or be assigned a public defender. The case is not discussed at an arraignment, but a follow up court date is normally scheduled.

This information is from a previous press release on this case:

The Fort Bragg Police Department is asking all residents in the area to review their surveillance footage from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. on June 21, 2025, and submit anything relevant via the online community portal.

To utilize the portal, please visit the link below or utilize the attached quick-response code (QR Code). The portal will send a link by either text or email for the reporting party to upload the evidence and allow the person submitting to provide a brief statement about when and where the activity occurred. The portal also accepts anonymous submissions. Simply uncheck “provide my information,” and your submission will remain anonymous. Submissions to the portal will be uploaded directly to evidence.com where officers can review them.

Citizens are also urged to report any suspicious activity or individuals in their neighborhoods by calling (707) 964-0200 or 911 for emergencies

We will update or refile this story as new information comes in