Two men were arrested Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17 after they were spotted cutting through the chain-link fence separating the rear parking lot of the Hot Rod Diner and Highway 99 property.

Ceres Code Enforcement Officer Roger Alvarez was in the area at 1:23 p.m. and spotted Anthony Cecere, 41, of Modesto and Earl Williams, 60, of Ceres, cutting the fence from the bottom to midway up. He called for assistance and Ceres Police Officer Adam Hall detained both as he conducted an investigation. He found the that a section of the chain-link fence, which had recently been replaced by Caltrans, had been cut from the bottom to approximately midway up. Both admitted to their parts in cutting the fence.

Caltrans was contacted and responded to repair the damage, estimated to cost taxpayers over $1,000. Both men were arrested for felony vandalism.