Full Notification

On April 11, 2017 at approximately 9:00 a.m., a Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force Detective observed a stolen vehicle traveling northbound on US-101, just south of Steele Lane. The detective requested assistance from police patrol to effect a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle took the Steele Lane off-ramp and proceeded eastbound on Steele Lane. Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) District Police officers were in the area and positioned themselves behind the stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle turned onto Oakview Court, a cul-de-sac. SRJC District Police officers were then assisted by a Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officer and conducted a high risk enforcement stop due the felony nature of the crime.

The male driver of the stolen vehicle, later identified as Andrew Pasquale Chaffer Sr., a Santa Rosa resident, 40 years of age, refused to obey the officers’ lawful commands, exited the vehicle and proceeded to flee on foot. The female passenger of the stolen vehicle, Jennifer Marie Coulter, Rohnert Park resident, 40 years of age, was taken into custody without incident and arrested for a felony warrant.

Additional SRPD police officers arrived on scene and coordinated a multiagency search which included SRPD, SRJC District Police, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies, the SCSO helicopter (Henry 1), Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force Detective s, and a California Highway Patrol K-9 unit.

SRPD coordinated with the Santa Rosa City School District and placed Steele Lane Elementary School and the Lewis Adult Education Center on lockdown. After an extensive yard by yard search of the area, Chaffer was unable to be located and the active search called off at 11:45 a.m.

Later that afternoon, at approximately 1:50 p.m., SRPD dispatch received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a male who was very wet with no shirt, and no shoes walking in the area of Slater Street and Carr Avenue. SRPD, SRJC PD, and Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force Detectives immediately responded to the scene and took Chaffer into custody without further incident.

Andrew Pasquale Chaffer Sr. was arrested by the SRJC District Police Department for being in possession of a stolen vehicle (496(d)PC), resisting arrest (148(a)PC, stolen vehicle (10851(a)VC), and for 5 misdemeanor no bail warrants. Chaffer was transported and booked at the Sonoma County Jail.

The SRJC District Police contacted the registered owner of the stolen vehicle and is making arrangements for the vehicle to be returned. The SRJC District Police would like to thank everyone in our community, neighbors, police officers, and deputies for their assistance in apprehending all suspects safely.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Santa Rosa Junior College District Police Department at (707)527-1000.