High speed pursuit, crash leads to arrest of SR man for vehicle theft charges.
Deputies arrested a Santa Rosa man for car theft charges after high speed pursuit, crash last night. At about 9:45 PM, a deputy patrolling the Extended Stay parking lot on Corby Ave found a purple Honda Civic backed into a parking space. The deputy knew there was a purple Honda stolen recently in Sonoma County so he discreetly checked it out. The vehicle had a license plate displayed on the rear which was reported stolen off a maroon Honda Civic. When the deputy checked the VIN number for the Honda he was able to confirm this was a stolen car.
The deputy watched the car from a distance and at about 11:40 PM he saw two people get into the car and leave the hotel. The deputy approached the suspects at the intersection of Dowd Dr and Corby Ave. As the deputy got close, the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Steven Sanez, sped up and fled from the deputy at a high rate of speed. Sanez entered Hwy 101 SB from the Hearn Ave onramp and reached speeds of about 90 mph with two deputies in pursuit.
As Sanez approached the Todd Rd off-ramp, he tried to exit at about 80 mph. Sanez locked up his brakes and was unable to negotiate the sharp right-hand turn. The vehicle went off the road and hit a ditch which then launched the car about 20 feet where it came to an abrupt stop against a guard rail in a cloud of dirt.
Sanez attempted to get out of the car but was quickly apprehended. His girlfriend stayed in the car and cooperated with deputies. Neither Sanez nor his girlfriend were seriously injured. Sanez had a no bail warrant out of Marin County for a prior car theft case. Ultimately Sanez was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft with priors, and felony evading. He is being held in the Sonoma County Jail without bail. Sanez’ girlfriend was determined to only have been a passenger in the car and was released at the scene.
Prepared by: Sgt. Spencer Crum
CR 170718-001
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941
Address/Location
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
2796 Ventura Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-565-2650