On January 21, 2013 at approximately 8:45 p.m., a Santa Rosa Junior College District Police Department (SRJC PD) Officer was patrolling the area of Dexter Street at Mendocino Avenue. The officer observed a red Ford Escort with three male subjects onboard traveling eastbound on Elliott Avenue approaching Mendocino Avenue. The Ford failed to stop at a red arrow traffic signal and made a right hand turn onto southbound Mendocino Avenue. The officer completed a U-turn and had to work through traffic in order to catch up to the Ford. The Ford then failed to stop at a red arrow traffic signal and made a left hand turn onto Pacific Avenue. The officer positioned himself behind the Ford in order to make a traffic enforcement stop on Humboldt Street. The driver accelerated away from the officer and continued to travel southbound on Humboldt Street and made several turns.
The Ford turned onto Orchard Street and came to a dead end. The three subjects then fled on foot from the officer. The officer was able to place one of the subjects, later found to be a juvenile, into custody. Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officers and other SRJC PD officers responded to the scene and searched the area. However, at this time the other suspects are still outstanding.
At the time of this event, the Santa Rosa Police Department was investigating a report of a stolen vehicle from the SRJC neighborhood area. SRPD contacted the victim and it was found that the red Ford Escort had been stolen just prior the SRJC PD officer’s traffic enforcement stop. In the SRJC PD investigation, multiple items from the CVS Pharmacy at 2075 Mendocino Avenue, including full bottles of vodka and beer, were found in the Ford. A CVS employee was contacted and reported the male juvenile had stolen the alcohol and other food items just prior to the traffic enforcement stop.
The male subject, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Juvenile Hall for vehicle theft, burglary, participation in a criminal street gang, resisting arrest, minor in possession of alcohol, and for outstanding warrants.
The victim recovered the vehicle at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Santa Rosa Junior College District Police Department at (707)527-1000.
