NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities in Sonoma County on Saturday made an arrest for a hate crime, taking into custody a Ukiah man with a violent criminal history who also is under investigation for similar incidents in Mendocino County.

Sgt. Juan Valencia of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said Anthony James Pelfrey, 43, was arrested in the case.

Valencia said Sonoma County deputies, working together with the Ukiah Police Department, arrested Pelfrey for a hate crime, felon in possession of pepper spray and illegal use of pepper spray.

The incident unfolded at approximately 10:18 a.m. Saturday when deputies were dispatched to Pinnacle Gulch Trail in Bodega Bay for a male intentionally pepper-spraying people, Valencia said.

Valencia said the first victim, an Asian male, was sprayed in the face with bear deterrent spray by Pelfrey for no apparent reason in the parking lot. The second victim, a Hispanic male, was walking out of the restroom and was sprayed as well.

Pelfrey walked to his car, a white Honda Civic, as witnesses took photos of him and his car, Valencia said.

Witnesses at the scene recognized the male as Pelfrey from their yoga class. Pelfrey was at the location, attending an outdoor yoga session. Pelfrey left the scene in his car, Valencia reported.

A records check revealed the car belonged to Pelfrey with an address in Ukiah. Valencia said the Ukiah Police Department was notified and conducted surveillance at Pelfrey's home, where. Pelfrey subsequently was arrested.

Ukiah Police Department and Mendocino County Sheriff's Office were both investigating two similar incidents involving Pelfrey last week in which he used bear deterrent spray on people, Valencia said.

Valencia said Pelfrey was convicted of attempted murder in Mendocino County in 2009 after attacking two men with a machete.

Pelfrey was arrested and later transported to the Sonoma County Jail and booked for a hate crime, felon in possession of pepper spray and illegal use of pepper spray. Pelfrey is currently in custody and being held on $50,000 bail after a judge approved a bail enhancement, Valencia said.

Jail records show Pelfrey is due to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.

“We want to thank the community members who called us with information. This case is another example of how we can better protect our community when we all work together,” Valencia said.