Santa Rosa police arrest eight teens in suspected gang attacks

SANTA ROSA – Santa Rosa police have arrested at least eight youths in recent weeks who they believe have committed gang-related attacks in the city center.

Police said on Thursday they had received “numerous emergency calls regarding a group of youths associated with criminal street gangs in the city center.”

According to authorities, the group is responsible for several serious assaults, robberies and other disturbances that occurred primarily in the area of ​​the Santa Rosa Transit Mall and Santa Rosa Plaza in downtown.

On May 13, a 27-year-old man was walking with his mother near Juilliard Park when he was approached by four or five people. The man said he recognized the individuals as gang members.

The group allegedly surrounded the victim and staged “gang challenges,” according to police. The suspects allegedly attacked the victim, threw him to the ground and punched and kicked him several times, causing visible injuries. The suspects fled when a witness shouted at them.

On May 21, officers executed a search warrant related to the case in the 1400 block of Pebblecreek Drive. Police arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of assault with a high probability of bodily injury, gang membership and gang affiliation.

On May 20, a 13-year-old boy was walking through the food court of Santa Rosa Plaza with his girlfriend. The boy said he was confronted by individuals he knew to be gang-affiliated who were sitting at a table as he passed by. The group allegedly attacked the boy, punching him and throwing him to the ground, where he was allegedly beaten and kicked. The attackers also allegedly stole some of the victim’s belongings during the attack.

When the victim’s girlfriend tried to intervene, she was allegedly attacked by several women. The male victim was taken by ambulance to the hospital following the attack, where he was treated and released.

In connection with the May 22 mall attack, officers obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 2300 block of Meadow Way. Police arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of assault with a high probability of bodily harm, gang membership and gang affiliation.

They also arrested a 13-year-old boy allegedly connected to the incident. He is charged with robbery, assault with a high probability of bodily harm, gang membership and gang affiliation. That suspect was arrested at the juvenile detention center, where he was in custody for another unrelated offense. As part of that investigation, a search warrant was issued Tuesday for a residence in the 500 block of Arrowood Drive.

Also in connection with the mall shooting, police served a search warrant for the 1600 block of Randon Way on June 6 and arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of robbery, assault with a high probability of bodily harm, gang membership and gang crime. On May 30, a 17-year-old male entered the mall and saw someone he believed to be a gang member. The suspect briefly disappeared from view but then returned with three other suspects. The suspect was wearing a full-face mask and allegedly surrounded the victim with the other suspects. They allegedly pushed the victim against a wall and took his belongings before fleeing.

Police arrested the four suspects on Tuesday, including a 13-year-old boy. The boy was taken into custody at the juvenile detention center, where he was being held for another, unrelated offense.

Police arrested a second suspect Wednesday after executing a search warrant in the 700 block of Dutton Avenue.

Police arrested the third 15-year-old suspect on Wednesday after executing a warrant in the 1600 block of Citrine Way. They also arrested a fourth suspect, a 15-year-old boy, after executing a warrant in the 1600 block of Randon Way.

All four suspects were charged with robbery, gang membership and gang affiliation.

On June 6, a 17-year-old boy was in Santa Rosa Plaza when he was allegedly attacked by a group of gang members.

According to police, the victim attempted to walk away but was followed to the parking lot between the south mall and the Downtown Transit Mall. The victim was subsequently chased and cornered by the group and allegedly attacked by about 10 suspects.

The suspects allegedly grabbed the victim, pushed him, hit him and threw him to the ground, where they continued to beat him and stole his shoes.

Police found the victim lying unconscious on the ground with numerous scratches and bruises. An ambulance took him to the hospital where he was treated and released.

Police said the latest incident is being investigated by the SRPD Gang Crimes Team. Anyone with information about the attack can contact police at (707) 543-4021. A reward may be offered through the Sonoma County Alliance for information leading to the identification of those responsible.