CHICO, Calif. - A homeless man has been charged after it was found he had been painting both racist and non-racist graffiti throughout Chico over the past two months.

33-year-old Thomas David Bona was arrested by police on Wednesday, June 12, for vehicle vandalism with a hate crime allegation after he had made racially charged comments toward the victim.

District Attorney Mike Ramsey said that when the victim pulled over to make a call regarding his car that was having problems, Bona, who was walking past, approached the car and kicked it repeatedly, leaving a large dent in the door.

Bona then grabbed a knife and carved into the hood of the vehicle before yelling racial epithets at the victim.

Ramsey stated Bona said told officers that he probably would not have vandalized the car had the victim been white.

Bona has been charged with vandalism and violating civil rights after he was caught on surveillance cameras painting graffiti at the Valero gas station on West 1st Street.

The graffiti painting around Chico included white pride references and racial slurs directed at the business owner.

Ramsey shared that Bona has been charged with two other vandalism cases to local buildings, is well-known to local law enforcement and had been previously committed to mental health facilities.

Bona was arraigned on the charges in the Butte County Superior Court on June 14 and is expected to be back in court on June 19 for further arraignment and entry of plea.