Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Detectives have identified an armed bank robbery suspect from a heist that occurred back in November, 2016. On November 21, 2016 at about 1:00 PM a robber walked into the Exchange Bank at Sebastopol Rd and Dutton Ave in Santa Rosa carrying a handgun, wearing dark clothing and a bandana over his face. He pointed the handgun at a clerk and demanded money. The clerk gave the robber an undisclosed amount of cash. She also was able to give him a dye pack that exploded shortly after he left the bank.
The suspect was last seen running northbound through a parking lot in the 500 block of Sebastopol Rd towards the Joe Radota bike trail. In this area, detectives found a beanie cap and bandana. During the course of the subsequent investigation, detectives submitted these items to the State Department of Justice Criminal Forensics Laboratory for DNA analysis.
On June 6th, 2017, Sheriff’s Detectives received notice that there was a positive DNA match on suspect, Cesar Garcia Arista, a 28-year-old transient. Arista is currently in custody in Southern California related to an armed carjacking in San Bernardino County. Arista has an extensive criminal history throughout California and is currently being investigated for two other armed bank robberies in Southern California.
Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Detectives have secured a $2,000,000.00 warrant for Arista’s arrest and he will be transported to Sonoma County for trial after his pending matters in Southern California.
CR: 161121-013
Prepared By: Sergeant Spencer Crum
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941
