Full Notification

On 5-1-13 at about 10:21 AM, deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Temelec Circler in Schelville for a theft that just occurred. The reporting party saw a male breaking into her car. He was associated with a female that was sitting in a vehicle nearby. The reporting party described the suspect vehicle as being a burgundy van and gave a partial license plate number.

At about 10:24 AM, a deputy responding to the scene saw the suspect vehicle on Arnold Dr. at Petaluma Ave. and made a traffic stop on it. Upon contacting the female driver, the deputy noticed a male hiding in the fully reclined passenger's seat. The driver then sped off. The deputy attempted to get out of the way, but was struck in the arm with the side view mirror of the van.

Deputies attempted to follow the van but lost it near Hwy. 12 and West Spain St. A short time later the van was found abandoned in the 300 block of 1st St. West in the City of Sonoma. It was later determined that the vehicle been reported stolen out of Concord, CA. At the same time, a citizen reported seeing the occupants of the van throw a shotgun out of the van at Petaluma Ave. and Riverside Dr. after fleeing the traffic stop. A loaded shotgun was in fact later located at the above intersection.

An area search began around the Sonoma Plaza and then branched off to the vineyard area off Lovall Valley Rd. and Gerhicke Rd. when a citizen reported seeing a man running through the vineyard. The Sheriff's helicopter, numerous deputies, a Sheriff’s K-9 unit, and CHP ground and air units all responded to help with the search. In conjunction with the search, the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center initiated a notification call to surrounding businesses/residences regarding the search and requested anyone with information to call.

At about 1:00 PM, a citizen called in from La Casa restaurant on the Sonoma Plaza reporting a male matching the suspect's description just asked to use his cell phone. Deputies responded to the restaurant and arrested the male suspect in this case. He was identified as 37-year-old James Rivas of Oakland, CA. Deputies continued searching for the female suspect in and around the Sonoma Plaza.

At about 2:00 PM, a resident back in the 300 block of 1st St. West reported her home had been burglarized and her Toyota Camry had been stolen within the last hour. Evidence at the burglary scene indicated the female suspect changed out of her clothes and into some of the victim's clothing.

At 2:15 PM, deputies located the victim's stolen car parked in front of the Cheese Factory on Spain St. Detectives in unmarked cars staked-out the vehicle to await the female suspect's potential return to the car.

At 2:45 PM, the female suspect returned to the stolen vehicle. She was wearing the victim’s clothing and carrying a bag of items she had stolen from the house on 1st St West. She was taken into custody without incident. She has been identified as 33-year-old Marissa Serafino out of Oakland.

Rivas was arrested for possession of stolen property, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, resisting arrest, violation of Community Parole (PRCS) and an outstanding warrant for vehicle theft out of Alameda County.

Serafino was arrested for felony evading arrest, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, burglary, vehicle theft, weapons charges, and possession of stolen property. She was also arrested on an outstanding burglary warrant out of Alameda County.

Prepared by Chief Bret Sackett
Sonoma Police Dept.
Case# 130501-010 and #130000-656