2 Arrested After Replica Gun Incident At Santa Rosa Transit Mall

SANTA ROSA, CA — Santa Rosa police arrested two Cloverdale men Sunday after one of them allegedly brandished what appeared to be a gun at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall, a police sergeant said. The incident involving Matthew Ryan, 20, and Andrew Farmer, 19, began when officers responded at 5:35 p.m. Sunday to a report of a possible robbery at the transit center at 500 2nd St., SRPD Sgt. Ryan Hepp said.

"The victim told arriving officers that two subjects approached him in the Transit Mall asking to borrow the victim’s cellphone," Hepp said. "The victim offered an apology and declined. In an agitated response, one of the subjects brandished a firearm, pointing it in the air in front of the victim."

The victim gave officers descriptions of the pair along with the direction the pair was seen heading.

Ryan and Farmer, when found by officers inside Sears at the nearby Santa Rosa Plaza, appeared to be intoxicated, the sergeant said.

A search of their persons resulted in the recovery of a firearm and evidence of narcotic sales, Hepp said.

According to police, the gun was heavy, had "357" written on the barrel, contained realistic looking ammunition, and resembled a large-caliber revolver.

"Only after closer inspection were officers able to determine it was in fact a replica," Hepp said.

Ryan, who was "belligerent with officers, momentarily removed one of his handcuffs, and unsuccessfully tried to kick out and break windows to a patrol car ," Hepp said, was arrested and booked into the main Sonoma County jail on suspicion of possession of narcotics for sale and public intoxication.

Farmer was arrested and also booked into the main Sonoma County jail for alleged public intoxication, Hepp said.

Photo courtesy Santa Rosa Police Department