3 Alleged Gang Members, Including A 16-Year-Old, Arrested After Cops Stop Speeding Car Near Hwy 12

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – Police arrested three suspected violent gang members early Saturday morning in Santa Rosa after an officer stopped a vehicle speeding through a construction zone.

The officer stopped the vehicle at 3:35 a.m. at Sebastopol and Stony Point roads, just south of state Highway 12, police said.

When the officer approached the vehicle he saw at least five people in the back seat. The officer also recognized the vehicle as one that police allege was involved in a gang assault last week. A stun gun was used
in that assault, police said.

The officer called for back up.

He recognized one of the passengers in the back seat as 20-year-old Santa Rosa resident Kevin Escalera. Police allege Escalera is a gang member who is serving probation for gang-related vandalism.

The terms of Escalera's probation prohibits him from associating with other gang members, possessing gang paraphernalia or taking part in gang activities, according to police.

Another officer recognized a passenger in the vehicle as a 16-year-old Santa Rosa boy who was wanted in connection with the stun gun incident. He was also on probation and had seven warrants out for his arrest.

The terms of his probation prohibit him from associating with other gang members, possessing gang paraphernalia and taking part in gang activities.

Police had everyone get out of the vehicle and searched it. Officers found a loaded 25-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a crowbar and a baseball bat, according to police.

The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing of a concealed gun in a vehicle, possessing of a loaded gun in public, active gang participation, a gang enhancement and violation of juvenile probation.

He was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a person with a stun gun, another gang enhancement, and violation of probation for being involved in the stun gun incident, police said.

The boy, whose name is not being released because he is not an adult, was booked into juvenile hall on the offenses and the seven warrants.

Escalera and a 20-year-old Santa Rosa resident named Miguel Angel Castillo were booked into the county jail on suspicion of possessing a concealed gun in a vehicle, possessing a loaded gun in public, gang participation, and a gang enhancement, according to police.

Escalera was also booked into jail on suspicion of violating his probation.

Officers also spoke with four 17- to 20-year-old Hispanic female passengers, police said.

Anyone who witnesses a crime is urged to call police at (707) 528-5222. Anonymous tips on gang activity can be left at (707) 543-GANG (4264).

• Also see: 6 Masked Robbers Swipe $15K Of Merchandise From Sonoma Hwy Garden Store: Police

--Bay City News/Images via Santa Rosa police