On Thursday, August 21st, 2014 at approximately 9:31 p.m., Santa Rosa Junior College District Police Department Officers (SRJC PD) initiated an enforcement stop on a subject for a routine traffic violation on Mendocino Avenue just south of Bear Cub Way. The subject was identified as Mark William Baker, a local area transient.
A subsequent probable cause search of Baker’s person and property revealed a capped syringe with a clear liquid and two small bags containing suspected methamphetamine (later confirmed by presumptive testing). Baker was placed in custody at that point for being in possession of a controlled substance and a violation of his existing probation terms.
As officers spoke with Baker, they recognized him as a person who matched the description of a bicycle theft suspect from an incident that was caught on private video from a residence in the 500 block of Silva Avenue (just one block east of the SRJC), just two days prior (SRPD case# 14-0011000). The victim in that incident brought a copy of the video to the SRJC District Police Department in an attempt to identify the suspected thief and make officers aware of the incident. The video showed a bicycle theft where the suspect walked in to the back yard of the victim’s home and walked out with his bicycle. The video revealed clear images of the suspect who had distinctive crisscrossing tattoos covering his entire right forearm. These tattoos were identical to Bakers. Additionally, Baker was in possession of a hat, shirt and bandana that were identical to that of the bike theft suspect in the video.
SRJC officers are also looking at Baker’s involvement where a suspect that was caught on video attempting to gain entry into the Bertolini Student Center (SRJC) on 05/20/12 matched the description of Baker (refer to SRJC case# 14-0281). In summary, the suspect stole a SRJC custodian`s key set and electronic access card, giving the suspect access to the SRJC campus. SRJC District Police Officers are in the process now of working with a digital photography expert to enhance still photographs from that incident to better link Baker to that crime.
Ultimately, Baker was transported and booked at the Sonoma County Jail for the following charges:
11377(a) HS – F (Possession of Controlled Substance)
1203.2 PC - M (Violation of Probation SCR#653702)
Due to Baker’s continuing presence around the Santa Rosa campus we are releasing a photo of Baker so that employees and students can alert police to his presence. Anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Santa Rosa Junior College District Police Department at (707)527-1000.
