Santa Rosa Man Arrested In Bus Stop Stabbing, Robbery
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) - A Santa Rosa man has been arrested in the attempted stabbing murder of an acquaintance at a bus stop south of Santa Rosa on Monday, a Sonoma County sheriff's sergeant said.
The suspect, Ernest Martinez, 52, also was arrested for allegedly robbing and assaulting a man at a Santa Rosa residence later the same day, sheriff's Sgt. Carlos Basurto said.
Martinez allegedly got out of a gold pickup truck that pulled up to a bus stop in the 3100 block of Santa Rosa Avenue near Northstar Drive in unincorporated Sonoma County around 11:50 a.m. Monday.
Martinez argued with Santa Rosa resident Edward James Sr.,53, before allegedly stabbing him in the chest, Basurto said. James is still recovering in a hospital, Basurto said.
Martinez and his 50-year-old brother, Edward Martinez, of Santa Rosa, are suspected of robbing an acquaintance, 54-year-old Morris Dumanske, around 8:30 p.m. Monday at a residence in the 200 block of Magnolia Avenue in Santa Rosa, Basurto said.
The brothers allegedly struck Dumanske in the head and robbed cash from him at gunpoint, Basurto said. Dumanske also is recovering in a hospital.
Sheriff's detectives arrested Ernest Martinez around 3:50 p.m. Wednesday on the corner of Redwood Drive and Rohnert Park Expressway in Rohnert Park, Basurto said.
Ernest Martinez was staying at the Budget Inn where detectives also found Edward Martinez, Basurto said.
Ernest Martinez was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy, Basurto said. His bail is set at $1 million.
Edward Martinez was booked on suspicion of robbery, burglary, assault with a firearm and conspiracy. His bail is set at $70,000.
Both men are scheduled to be arraigned in Sonoma County Superior Court Friday afternoon.
The sheriff's office is still looking for the white or Hispanic male driver of the gold pickup involved in the stabbing at the bus stop.
The truck is a 2003-2006 Chevrolet Silverado with chrome rims and a bug shield on the front hood, Basurto said.
The truck also had "Z71" on the rear side. Anyone with information about the truck is asked to call (707) 565-2185.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
