Full Notification

On Thursday, 8-31-17, at approximately 0845 hours, the Sebastopol Police were called to a disturbance at a local auto repair shop.  When the responding officer arrived at the shop, the business representative asked that the woman causing the disturbance be required to leave. 

The officer advised the woman to leave and watched as she eventually got into a car and drove away, ending the disturbance.  As she drove away, the officer learned the woman, identified as 30-year-old Wajeeda Curtiss, of Sebastopol, was unlicensed in California.
Upon learning that Curtiss was unlicensed, the officer caught up to her in traffic and conducted a traffic enforcement stop that ended in the parking lot of a downtown business. 

As soon as she stopped, Curtiss got out of the vehicle and then refused to get back in when directed by the officer. She was extremely hostile and non-compliant. The officer ordered Curtiss multiple times to get back into the vehicle. Curtiss refused and argued with the officer, then began reaching into a bag that she grabbed from the vehicle. 

Based on Curtiss’ agitated state and refusal to comply with lawful orders, the officer told Curtiss she was being detained and moved to place handcuffs on her; she actively and relentlessly resisted, struggling until the officer was finally able to wrestle her to the ground to restrain her.  A bystander who witnessed Curtiss’ resistance came to the officer’s aid allowing the officer to eventually handcuff her.

The woman complained of pain from the arrest, although she had no visible injuries.  She was issued a citation for resisting arrest and driving without a license and released to the care of the medics.

Later, at approximately 1339 hours, a different Sebastopol Police officer made a traffic stop at the same location. This time, the driver, 41-year-old Veronica Carneal, of Forestville, refused the officer’s lawful order to sign her traffic citation for failure to wear her seatbelt.

Despite being advised of the consequences of her refusal by both the officer and the officer’s supervisor, Carneal adamantly refused to sign the citation as required by law.  By law, any person refusing to sign a citation is required to be taken into custody.

Carneal was told to exit the vehicle and that she was under arrest. She refused, struggling briefly with both officers, who were required to physically remove her from the car. They eventually overcame her resistance and were able to handcuff her.  Carneal was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for resisting arrest.

Media inquiries should be directed to James Conner (707) 829-4400.