Full Notification

TO: News Media

FROM: Sergeant Mike Clark

SUBJECT: CR#18- 10399 Possession of a Firearm/ Vehicle Pursuit

On Saturday August 11, 2018, at approximately 5:17 p.m., a Santa Rosa Police Department Canine Unit was on patrol in the area of Stony Point Rd and Sebastopol Rd. The officer attempted to stop a dark colored Chevrolet Malibu for vehicle code violations. The vehicle quickly pulled into a Starbucks drive thru before the officer was able to make the traffic stop.

While waiting for the vehicle to come out of the drive thru, an alert citizen approached the officer and told him that the driver of the vehicle had thrown what looked like a handgun out of the car a loaded firearm was later recovered.

The officer attempted to stop the Malibu as it came out of the drive thru, but the Malibu failed to yield and began accelerating out of the parking lot. A vehicle pursuit ensued with the Malibu circling several Roseland neighborhoods. The Malibu eventually turned heading north on Dutton Ave. Reaching speeds of approximately 70 mph. The Malibu ran a red traffic light at the intersection of Dutton Ave and Sebastopol Rd where it collided with two different vehicles. The Malibu rolled onto the driver’s side door and slid several yards. The driver of the Malibu quickly attempted to jump out of the vehicle but was taken into custody as he attempted to flee on foot.

The driver of the Malibu was identified as Mateo Sandoval, a 22 year old Santa Rosa resident. Sandoval is on CDC parole related to a vehicle pursuit which occurred in 2015 where a passenger in his vehicle was injured.

Sandoval was arrested on the following charges:

2800.2 VC- Felony Reckless Evading
29800(a)(1) PC Felony Felon in Possession of a Firearm
30305(a)(1) PC Felony Felon in Possession of Ammo
3056 PC Felony Parole violation
25850(a) PC Misdemeanor Carrying a Loaded Firearm
135 PC Misdemeanor Destruction of Evidence
14601.1(a) VC Misdemeanor Driving of a Suspended License
148(a)(1) PC Misdemeanor Resisting Arrest

Further media inquiries can be forwarded to Sergeant Mike Clark at email – mjclark@srcity.org or at (707) 543-4028.