On Wednesday January 28, 2015 at about 3:30 PM, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputies and three Sonoma County Probation Officers were in the southwest area of Santa Rosa. They were working a special enforcement detail for Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) in the Roseland area.
They noticed a Honda with known Sureno gang members inside, driving slowly on Barbara Drive. The car was paralleling a male wearing a red hat, who was walking on the sidewalk. The male in the red hat noticed the vehicle and suddenly bolted, running in the opposite direction of the car. The car accelerated away and stopped near the intersection of Eddy Drive and Robin Way.
The Deputy stopped the Honda to investigate what transpired between the male in the red hat and the car full of Surenos. As he approached the vehicle, he saw that there were three men within. As the he got closer, the driver looked at him in the mirror then sped off squealing the tires. The car continued through the neighborhood speeding at about 60 mph and blowing through stop signs on Moorland.
More Deputies came into the area to assist. The car continued speeding through intersections on Standish Avenue to Todd Road. Eventually the driver stopped in the 500 block of Todd Road. The whole roadway was shut down while the occupants of the car were detained in handcuffs.
The driver, Erick Canseco Lopez, a 19 year old from Petaluma, was unlicensed and had active arrest warrants. The passenger, Martin Rodriguez, a 22 year old from Santa Rosa, had an outstanding arrest warrant for assaulting a peace officer and carrying a loaded firearm. The rear passenger was a local 17 year old male who was on active probation, the terms of which prohibited him from associating with gang members.
All three of the males were dressed in blue Sureno gang attire, had gang tattoos and paraphernalia on them. The men gave varying statements about their collective intent and individual actions. Canseco Lopez was carrying a switchblade knife.
When the Deputies searched the car, they saw a handgun in plain view, directly in the center of the console, readily accessible to anyone inside. The gun was cocked and loaded with a live round in the chamber. There was another switchblade knife in the driver’s side door handle.
Canseco Lopez, was arrested and booked into County Jail for recklessly evading arrest in a vehicle, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, active participation in a criminal street gang, possession of a switchblade knife, gang enhancement, driving without a valid driver`s license and his outstanding warrants. His bail was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled for arraignment on January 30 at 1:30.
Rodriguez was placed under arrest and booked into County Jail for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, active participation in a criminal street gang, gang enhancement and the outstanding warrant for his arrest. His bail was set at $135,000 and he is scheduled for arraignment on January 30 at 1:30.
The juvenile was arrested possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, active participation in a criminal street gang, gang enhancement and for violation of the terms of his probation. He was transported and booked into Juvenile Hall.
The male wearing the red hat who the fled on Barbara Drive after the males in the vehicle brandished the gun at him has not been identified and located. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Investigations Tip Line at 707-565-2185. You can leave a message and remain anonymous if you desire.
Report #150128-021
Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
Media Relations / PIO
