FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2022
Issued by: J. P Pritchard, Community Engagement Coordinator
707-584-2691, [email protected]
On October 5, 2022 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Community Oriented Problem Solving Team (COPS) served a search warrant at a tent in the Roberts Lake Encampment, located in the 5000 block of Roberts Lake Road. The search warrant was the result of an investigation for narcotic sales that were occurring inside the encampment over the last several months.
During the warrant service, officers found evidence of narcotic sales and arrested Manuel Santiago, a 56-year-old unhoused person who has been living in a tent in the encampment. Additionally, an adult female at the encampment reported she was sexually assaulted by Santiago, which officers are investigating.
Santiago was arrested on one felony count of 11378 H&S – Possession of methamphetamine for sale and one felony count of 11351 H&S – Possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell. Santiago was transported and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.
If anyone has information regarding the narcotic sales or sexual assault, please contact Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety PSO Trevor Gentry at (707) 584-3546 and refer to Case #22-3847.
Our department understands our community's concerns about safety issues. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety COPS Team is a specialized unit dedicated to addressing a variety of community and safety issues, including narcotics, human trafficking, traffic complaints, and unsheltered populations. The COPS Team dedicates more than half of its time to our unsheltered community, and works consistently along-side social service providers and other entities within Sonoma County to offer wrap-around services to those who are unsheltered, and to ensure that the safety of all community members' is a priority.
