Driver Leads Cops Across Golf Course In High-Speed Chase: Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A high-speed chase Monday night from Santa Rosa to Rohnert Park ended when the suspect drove across a golf course and hit an embankment, according to Santa Rosa police.

The 5-mile pursuit started around 9:30 p.m. Monday when an officer saw a driver illegally pass another car near Petaluma Hill Road and Kawana Springs Road in southeast Santa Rosa, SRPD Sgt. Josh Medeiros said.

The officer tried to stop the driver, identified as 61-year-old Santa Rosa man Anthony Catelli, but according to police, Catelli took off southbound on Petaluma Hill Road — reportedly reaching speeds of 90 mph before slowing down to 60 mph.

More officers joined the pursuit as Catelli continued southbound on Petaluma Hill Road out of the city limits, then took Snyder Lane into the city of Rohnert Park, Medeiros said.

At one point, Catelli reportedly drove into the opposite lane of traffic.

The chase continued as Catelli drove westbound onto Golf Course Drive then took Country Club Drive southbound until he reached the Foxtail Golf Course property.

"Catelli drove across the fairways of the Foxtail Golf Course until he came to a stop in an embankment on the Golf Course (approximately 100 hundred feet south of Golf Course Drive)," Medeiros said.

Catelli was still inside his car on the golf course as officers approached him but he refused to get out the car or unlock the doors, Medeiros said.

When one of the officers broke a passenger-side window to gain access to the car, Catelli got out and was placed under arrest.

Catelli was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of reckless driving and vehicle evading, police said.