Robber Takes PB&J, Threatens Target Security At Knifepoint: PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A homeless man is accused of robbing a Coddingtown Mall Target employee at knifepoint for peanut butter and jelly. The Santa Rosa Police Department was alerted at 8:47 p.m. Sunday that a man stole items from the store and brandished a knife at a Target security guard, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Brandon Matthies said.

As officers were responding, the suspect, described as a 5-foot-9-inch Hispanic man wearing a white hat, blue shirt and black jacket, ran westbound toward Range Avenue.

When an officer saw someone walking on the sidewalk of Edwards Avenue, near Range Avenue, who matched the description, the officer took the man into custody.

The man was then positively identified as the suspect in the robbery, Matthies said.

"A search of his person yielded a jar of peanut butter and jam, items determined to have been stolen from Target during the robbery," Matthies said.

The sergeant identified the suspect in the robbery as Nestor Henriquez, a 23-year-old homeless Santa Rosa man.

"Henriquez displayed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance and initially lied about his identity to officers," Matthies said. "It was later determined Henriquez lied about his identity because he was on felony probation."

Further investigation revealed Henriquez had numerous items from Target, and when he was contacted by security at the front doors, he tried to leave with the merchandise and a struggle ensued, police said.

Target security personnel retrieved some of the stolen merchandise, but Henriquez successfully escaped with a jar of peanut butter and jam, police said.

"Thinking that Henriquez stole additional items, the Target security officer then pursued Henriquez through the parking lot where Henriquez brandished a large knife and threatened the security officer," Matthies said.

Henriquez was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of robbery, false identification to a peace officer, violation of probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance.