For Immediate Release
Monday, January 20, 2025 6:02 PM
Case# RP 25-0184
ROHNERT PARK – On 1/20/25, at approximately 2:28 PM, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety received a call of a physical fight in the electronics section of Walmart on Redwood Dr in Rohnert Park. The initial report was that one subject had an employee on the ground and had sprayed him with pepper spray.
While officers were responding, it was reported that the subject had left the store. The first officer arrived on the scene at approximately 2:31 PM. Officers located the subject in the parking lot, and he was holding a large knife. Officers attempted to get the subject to surrender, but he was not compliant with their commands and refused to drop the knife. After a brief standoff, the suspect dropped the knife but continued to ignore their commands to surrender. Based on the assault already committed in the store and the fact the suspect had previously had the knife, the officers gave him one more chance to surrender. The suspect refused to surrender so out of safety of the community and so the suspect did not escape, officers tackled the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect continued to resist so officers had to place him in a "maximum restraint" which imobilizes his arms torso and legs.
It was determined that the subject had assaulted several people during the incident so he was booked into jail for assault with pepper spray, and assault with a deadly weapon. Based on the unprovoked nature of the assaults, a bail enhancement was requested and granted. It is unknown what provoked the altercation.
The subject was identified as Randolf Knoblock, age 45, from Santa Rosa.
Two customers were treated for the exposure to pepper spray and released on scene. One employee was transported to the hospital for minor injuries to their hand.
If anyone has any video of the incident, or additional information, please contact Officer R. Jones at Rjones@rpcity.org.
