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Santa Rosa Police Arrest Repeat Auto-Theft Suspect After DoorDash Car Chase

Automated license-plate cameras guided officers to the stolen Prius.

Overview

  • Sergio Villalobos-Espinoza was arrested after a Saturday night pursuit that began when a DoorDash driver's running car was taken near downtown Santa Rosa.
  • A Flock Safety camera alert around 10 p.m. flagged the stolen Prius, and officers tried to stop it before the driver fled.
  • Police say he drove aggressively and rammed two marked patrol cars, injuring no officers but leaving several vehicles with moderate damage.
  • Officers laid spike strips and called in a sheriff's helicopter, then blocked the Prius in a residential area to end the chase.
  • He was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, felony evading, and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, with an added penalty for repeat theft, and police say he has at least 13 prior vehicle-theft arrests in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.