Full Notification

Press Release
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Sergeant Jake Gutierrez, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4532, jgutierrez@cityofpetaluma.org 

 
Incident:               Stabbing Suspect Arrested  
Report Number:   23-4663
Occurred Date :   October 23, 2023
Occurred Time:    8:23 PM
Location:   Round Walk Village Apartment Complex      
Suspect:   Juan Martinez-Montano, 37-year-old Rohnert Park
Charges:   Assault With a Deadly Weapon & Child Endangerment  
  On Monday, October 23, 2023, at approximately 8:23 PM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in which a male subject had been stabbed in the face.
 
Multiple officers arrived on scene and located an adult male victim with significant stab wounds to his face and other parts of his body. Officers secured the scene and immediately requested emergency medical aid. Medics with the Petaluma Fire Department responded, treated the victim on scene, and transported him to an area hospital in serious but stable condition.
 
Officers learned that the victim and Juan Martinez-Montano, who knew each other, engaged in a physical altercation when Martinez-Montano arrived at the Round Walk Village Apartments in his vehicle. During the altercation, Martinez-Montano assaulted the victim with a knife causing the mentioned injuries. During the altercation, Martinez-Montano’s two young children were in his vehicle and witnessed the assault. Officers learned that Martinez-Montano fled on foot after stabbing the victim and was still in possession of the knife.
 
Based on Martinez-Montano fleeing on foot after the assault, a large perimeter was established. Assistance was requested from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter “Henry-1”, and the Cotati Police Departments tracking Bloodhound “Dolly”. After an extensive search of the area by ground personnel, Henry-1 and the Bloodhound, Martinez-Montano was not located.
 
Detectives with the Petaluma Police Department Investigations Unit were called to the scene and took over the investigation. Crimes scene investigators also processed the scene for evidence. A short time later, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Martinez-Montano for charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Child Endangerment.
 
On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at approximately 12:25 AM, Martinez-Montano arrived at the Petaluma Police Department and turned himself in. He was arrested without incident and interviewed by Detectives. Martinez-Montano admitted to assaulting the victim with the knife and stated he discarded it as he fled from the scene. Detectives later canvassed the area that Martinez-Montano fled and were able to recover the knife.
 
After being interviewed by Detectives, Martinez-Montano was transported and booked into the Sonoma County Jail.
 
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department and the Cotati Police Department for their assistance with this investigation. This incident is an excellent example of the coordination and collaboration between Sonoma County Law Enforcement agencies which occurs daily in our communities.
 
The Petaluma Police Department is committed to working to reduce crime and improve the quality of life throughout the City of Petaluma and encourages residents to partner with us by contacting the Police Department whenever necessary.  
 
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.