Full Notification

Incident Summary: 

On Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:26 pm, the Petaluma Police Department received a call from the victim, a patron of the Jamison’s Roaring Donkey located at 146 Kentucky Street. The victim told dispatch he was assaulted by the bar’s security staff. Officers arrived on scene and spoke with the victim who is a thirty-eight-year-old male from Santa Rosa. He told officers he had arrived at the bar with a group of friends approximately ten minutes prior to the incident. He ordered a drink which he took a sip of but was otherwise sober. His sobriety was later confirmed by officers with a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) device.
 
The victim went to the restroom and as he was washing his hands an unrelated female patron walked in and went into a stall. Security followed the female into the restroom and told her she was not allowed to be in there. The victim questioned the security staff’s assessment of the situation. After a verbal argument, security told the victim he needed to leave the bar. The victim continued to argue with staff who began to physically remove him. While removing the victim from the bar, security repeatedly struck the victim and forced him to the ground.
 
After removing the victim from the bar, security staff continued to assault the victim, on the sidewalk in front of a neighboring business. An independent witness reported that while one member of security had the victim in a chokehold on the ground other members were punching and kicking the victim in and about his head.  The victim sustained significant injuries including swelling and bruising on the left side of his head and other lacerations and abrasions. The victim was treated and released at the scene by the Petaluma Fire Department and was going to follow up with medical treatment.    
 
The security staff members were identified as twenty-five-year-old Diego Vega-Ramirez of Rohnert Park, thirty-one-year-old Christopher Jonathan Ortiz of Santa Rosa, twenty-five-year-old Miguel Jasso Berber of Santa Rosa, twenty-seven-year-old Daniel Vega-Ramirez of Santa Rosa, and twenty-five-year-old Christopher Vega-Ramirez of Santa Rosa. All five were arrested for 243(d) PC; Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury and 182(a)(1) PC; Criminal Conspiracy. 
 
Additionally, Daniel Vega-Ramirez was found to be on Sonoma County probation for a previous DUI arrest and was charged with 1203.2(a) PC; Violation of Probation.  Miguel Jasso Berber was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), through the California Department of Corrections (CDCR), for a previous weapons arrest and was placed on a hold related to his supervision.  Officers located brass knuckles in Christopher Vega-Ramirez’s pocket in violation of 21810 PC; Possession of Brass Knuckles.  It is unknown if the brass knuckles were used during the incident, however their mere possession is illegal. All five arrestees were transported and booked into the Sonoma County Jail.   
 
The management of the Jamison’s Roaring Donkey chose to close the bar for the evening due to the incident and an inability to properly manage the crowd without most of their security staff. 
 
The Petaluma Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident including attempting to obtain video surveillance and working to identify additional witnesses. If anyone witnessed this incident or has video footage, please contact Officer Nathan Good at (707) 781-1262 or via email at [email protected]. Reference case number 24-1659.
 
City staff works closely with alcohol establishments to address issues that arise so they can take corrective steps and actions. Establishments complete responsible beverage service and other trainings so they are trained to appropriately manage and maintain safe operations. When investigating incidents related to alcohol establishments, the Petaluma Police Department works closely with the City’s Code Enforcement Officers and the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).  Additionally, the City’s municipal code includes an Alcohol Related Nuisance Ordinance (ARNO) which allows for further regulation of our local alcohol establishments. This incident and others related to the Jamison’s Roaring Donkey are currently being reviewed for such potential violations.
 
The City of Petaluma is working collaboratively with the Petaluma Downtown Association to foster and maintain a safe and vibrant experience for all. Incidents such as this are not indicative of the environment we are striving to ensure. City staff is evaluating all options to mitigate future similar occurrences and other situations that detract from the enjoyment of our downtown.  
 
Media inquiries can be directed to Lieutenant Garrett Glaviano at (707)778-4439.