PRESS RELEASE Traffic Stop leads to Large Amount of Marijuana and Guns 
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 12:15 PM Case Number: 17-0003952
Contact: Sgt. Jeff Justice (707)588-3574 Mon-Thu 8am-6pm
Cmdr. Aaron Johnson (707)588-3580 Mon-Thu 8-5 (PIO)
ROHNERT PARK, CA – 09/19/17, at approximately 10:30pm, Rohnert Park Public Safety Officers A. Hartleib and K. Astley made a traffic stop on a Ford Expedition on Commerce Blvd at Southwest Blvd in Cotati for a vehicle code violation. Upon contacting the occupants, 24 year old Sergio Mendez-Zurita of Santa Rosa and 26 year old Saul Esquivel-Gutierrez of Cotati, the officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When asked for a driver’s license or identification, both subjects could only provide Mexico ID cards. When the occupants opened the glove box to look for the registration and insurance paperwork, the officers noticed what appeared to be a high capacity magazine for an assault rifle in the glove box.
Mendez-Zurita and Esquivel-Gutierrez were removed from the vehicle. Mendez-Zurita was found to be in possession of a meth pipe and suspected methamphetamines. Upon searching the vehicle, the officers found two large garbage bags full of individually packaged one pound bags of processed marijuana. The officers also found that the center console in the vehicle was not secured. When the officers looked underneath the center console they found three handguns, two of which were loaded, as well as a high capacity magazine for a hand gun.
Mendez-Zurita and Esquivel-Gutierrez were arrested for multiple charges related to the possession of firearms and narcotics. They were both booked into the Sonoma County Jail and being held on a $30,000 bail.
END.
Address/Location
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
City Center Dr
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-584-2600