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Two Arrested After Hollister Sidewalk‑Mapping Robots Were Vandalized

Police say camera footage shows suspects damaging robots used to map sidewalks for federally funded accessibility upgrades.

Overview

  • City‑deployed Daxbot units recorded two separate vandalism incidents on May 28 that were reported to Hollister police.
  • Footage shows one person on a bicycle knock a robot onto its side and another person strike robots and pour a liquid believed to be beer over a unit.
  • Hollister officers later identified and arrested two people in separate, unrelated contacts who were named as the suspects though formal vandalism charges may still be pending.
  • The city and Daxbot say the robots operate at walking speed, do not collect personal data, will not replace city jobs, and will remain in service to complete a federally funded sidewalk assessment.
  • The robots are part of a Safe Streets and Roads for All program that maps sidewalks and curb ramps faster than manual crews, and police continue to ask the public for tips about the incidents.