On May 14, 2015 at approximately 7:45 AM, a woman called the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to report that her male friend was very high on methamphetamine and violently throwing a trash can. Deputies began responding to the area of Eddy Drive in southwest Santa Rosa. The man’s aunt arrived and tried to reason with him, to no avail. The woman called back a few minutes later on 911 because the man was now walking in the middle of the road and was shouting that he wanted to kill himself.
Deputies arrived and contacted the man, Florentino Hernandez Valdovinos, a 32 year old resident of Santa Rosa. They tried to reason with him outside the residence, but Valdovinos was talking nonsensically very clearly under the influence of drugs. The Deputies requested back-up.
Suddenly, Valdovinos took off running in traffic. Deputies gave chase and when they caught up to him he fought them. One of the Deputies was forced to use his taser in an effort to gain his compliance. But the taser application had no effect and Valdovinos continued to violently fight with them. They were unable to restrain him. Finally, after several minutes the two Deputies were able to place Valdovinos in handcuffs.
One of the two Deputies suffered minor injuries as a result of the scuffle. Valdovinos was transported to hospital to be evaluated by medical personnel. Valdovinos was later transported to County Jail where he was booked for battery on a peace officer, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $10,000 and he is scheduled to appear before a judge on Monday May 18 at 1:30.
Case #150514-005
Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
Media Relations/ PIO
