10 Arrested During Task Force Operation In Rohnert Park, Cotati

ROHNERT PARK, COTATI, CA — Ten people were arrested Friday as a result of a multi-jurisdictional sting to combat car thefts and catalytic-converter-related criminal activity in and around the cities of Rohnert Park and Cotati, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said in a news release.

Members of the Cotati Police Department, Rohnert Park DPS, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Property Crimes Investigation Unit and Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force teamed up for the eight-hour proactive enforcement operation.

Officers, deputies and detectives contacted 63 people for suspected traffic violations who were also engaged in suspicious activity Friday in and about the two cities, police said.

The sting resulted in the recovery of one stolen vehicle, eight felony arrests, one arrest for drug sales and one felony DUI arrest, Rohnert Park DPS said. The task force also initiated several investigations and developed leads about additional crimes.

There was also a stolen-vehicle pursuit that started when a Cotati police officer who was participating in the sting noticed a suspicious vehicle in the parking of Lowe's in Cotati. As the officer approached a Ford F150 pickup truck with temporary, out-of-state license plates, the driver reportedly looked at the officer then sped through the Lowe's parking lot.

Several Cotati officers joined the pursuit as the initial officer continued to chase the driver onto southbound U.S. Highway 101.

The suspect drove south for several miles until the F-150 became mechanically disabled, at which time he was detained by California Highway Patrol.

The Cotati officer caught up and arrested the driver on suspicion of felony evasion and an outstanding felony warrant, and was continuing to investigate the ownership of the truck.

The identities of the arrestees were not provided.

Active Investigation To Continue Into Car Thefts, Catalytic Converter-Related Crimes

Rohnert Park DPS, Cotati PD, the sheriff’s Property Crimes Investigation Unit and the Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force will continue to actively investigate car thefts and catalytic converter-related crimes, police said in the news release.

"Our agencies will continue to partner together to ensure the most successful outcomes to these investigations we can, and the greatest level of service to the people of Sonoma County possible," police said.

Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force

The Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force — SONCATT — is a multijurisdictional law enforcement program with active members from the California Highway Patrol, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Sonoma County Probation Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. The program is further supported by the Santa Rosa Police Department, the Cotati Police Department and the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association.