Between April 18th and May 13th there have been five incidents where permit machines were broken into or there was an attempt to break into a machine. The dollar amount taken at each incident ranged from $130 to $24. After the first two thefts the pick-up schedules were altered so that a minimum about of money was in the permit machines after 9:00 p.m. The Santa Rosa Junior College Police Department began an investigation into the incidents and was able to narrow down the time at which the thefts were taking place and set up physical and camera surveillance of likely targets for the thieves.
On May 17, 2015 at approximately 3:30 a.m. a dispatcher watching the video monitors at the SRJC police station observed two subjects loitering near one of the permit machines. The dispatcher alerted an SRJC officer who was on patrol and a Santa Rosa Police Officer who was in the area also responded.
As officers arrived on scene both suspects fled in different directions, one was apprehended after a brief foot chase and another was found nearby hiding in some vegetation in the parking lot. Further investigation revealed that the suspects had attempted to pry open the machine and various burglary tools were found on, or nearby the suspects.
Both suspects, John NMN Sawyer, age 41 a transient and Adam Christopher Hughes, age 28 of Santa Rosa were arrested and booked into jail on charges of Possession of Burglary Tools, Resisting Arrest, Attempted Grand Theft and Vandalism. Their bail was set at $2,500.
Any media inquiries should be directed to Chief Matt McCaffrey (707) 527-1000
