Wild, High-Speed Chase In Sonoma County Ends With Suspected Meth Dealers' Arrest
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) -- Two men who led authorities in a high-speed chase in Sonoma County on Thursday afternoon were arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine valued at over $10,000, a Santa Rosa police sergeant said.
An officer patrolling in the area of Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa with police K-9 "Hoss" saw a black Honda Accord drive past a posted stop sign at Farm Hill Avenue, Sgt. John Cregan said.
The officer initiated a traffic stop on the Accord but it fled at high speeds, Cregan said.
The officer followed the vehicle and a passenger in the Accord threw a box out a window during the pursuit, which was retrieved by another officer, he said.
Over half a pound of methamphetamine was found in the box, which investigators determined could have been sold for over $10,000, according to Cregan.
The vehicle continued speeding through city streets then entered westbound state Highway 12 towards Sebastopol, Cregan said.
The vehicle made a U-turn at Highway 12 and Fulton Road then drove east towards Stony Point Road at speeds of more than 90 mph into Cotati and Rohnert Park, he said.
Traffic was backed up as the vehicle drove into Rohnert Park Expressway and Commerce Drive in Rohnert Park due to a red light, Cregan said.
The driver of the suspect vehicle attempted to drive between two rows of stopped cars but struck four vehicles causing minor damage, according to Cregan.
The suspect vehicle was stuck between the stopped cars and the occupants were taken into custody, he said.
Officers uncovered $4,000 in cash in a search of the suspect vehicle, Cregan said.
The driver, identified as 23-year-old Rolando Hernandez-Azpeitia of Rohnert Park, was arrested on suspicion of possession for sales of methamphetamine, transportation of methamphetamine, recklessly evading, driving into opposing traffic with evading, driving with a suspended driver's license and two gang enhancements.
The passenger, identified as 20-year-old Andy Razo Albor of Novato, was arrested on suspicion of possession for sales of methamphetamine, transportation of methamphetamine and two gang enhancements.
Investigators determined both men are active gang participants, he said.
Santa Rosa police received assistance in the pursuit from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Cotati Police Department, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and California Highway Patrol.
The sheriff's office's helicopter Henry 1 also assisted in the pursuit by following the suspect vehicle in the air.
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