On 3-13-14 at approximately 7:25 PM a deputy from the Sonoma Police Department was traveling in the area of Hwy 12 and Madrone in Glen Ellen when he was flagged down by a CHP Officer who was on a traffic stop requesting assistance. The deputy was advised by the CHP Officer that the three subjects in his stopped vehicle were suspicious and he felt they were possibly transporting marijuana in the vehicle. The vehicle was determined to be a white Nissan Altima rental car.
This Sonoma PD Deputy happened to have a canine partner named “Dickie” with him. Dickie is a two year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix who is trained and certified in the detection of narcotics. The deputy questioned the occupants of the vehicle about their activities during the day and after receiving conflicting statements he had Dickie sniff the exterior of the car. Dickie alerted to the trunk area, indicating the presence of odor of narcotics.
Upon further inspection the canine handler was able to locate and seize 50 pounds of processed marijuana sealed in vacuum packed plastic bags along with over $14,000 cash. Arrested for possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana was Jeremiah Soria, a 40 year-old man from Brookdale, CA. Soria had two passengers in the vehicle, both from New York, who were released from the scene without charges.
Dickie is one of the youngest members of the department’s canine force and has been working for the City of Sonoma Police Department for approximately eight months.
Report: 14-00000355
Prepared By: Sgt. Spencer Crum
