Arrest Made In Copeland Creek Trail Incident, Rohnert Park Police Say

ROHNERT PARK, CA — An arrest was made this week in connection with a Sept. 22 incident on the Copeland Creek Trail that prompted lockdowns at nearby schools, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

Around noon Thursday, Sept. 22, Rohnert Park DPS received a call about a person who possibly brandished a gun on the trail near Snyder Lane. The caller said a man showed the handle of a firearm, then left the area.

The man was described as 30-40 years old with light skin color and a thin build wearing a black T-shirt and cargo shorts. Officers responded and searched the area but did not find him. Because of the proximity of the incident and out of an abundance of caution, school administrators consulted with police and placed Rancho Cotate High School, Lawrence Jones Middle School and Richard Crane Elementary School on lockdown, Rohnert Park DPS Deputy Chief Kevin Kilgore said in a news release.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lockdowns Lifted At 3 Rohnert Park Schools

"After approximately 45 minutes and the determination there was no ongoing threat to the safety of the school campuses, the lockdown was lifted," Kilgore said.

As the investigation continued, Tyler David Collins, a 29-year-old unhoused person, was identified as a person of interest.

On Monday, Collins turned himself in at the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Main Station.

After interviewing Collins, detectives arrested him on suspicion of four felony counts of child abuse with possible great bodily injury, one felony count of assault with intent to commit rape, one misdemeanor count of battery on a person, and four misdemeanor counts of exhibiting a firearm.

Detectives believe an assault took place that day on the Copeland Creek Trail.

"The suspect placed hands on the victim of this incident," Kilgore told Patch. "Based on the evidence and the information our detectives gathered, those crimes were the ones that fit what occurred."

Collins was booked into Sonoma County jail and was initially held on a $50,000 bond.

"We try to do our best, and we are always happy when we can bring closure to something this significant," Kilgore said.

Late this week, the investigation was continuing and detectives were still trying to locate the gun described in the incident. Police asked anyone with information to contact Detective Ben Kopshever at 707-584-3352 and refer to case no. 22-3724.