Felon Arrested When Search Reveals Stolen Gun: Sheriff's Office

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Deputies arrested a transient Sunday in the south Santa Rosa area when they found a stolen handgun and bullets in her purse, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies initially responded to a report at 3:50 p.m. of a physical fight between two women in the 3000 block of Santa Rosa Avenue.

"The caller stated one woman was trying to drive away in an SUV and the other woman was blocking the car with her body to prevent it from leaving," sheriff's Spokeswoman Misti Wood said.

Deputies found two women inside an SUV matching the description from the caller.

Deputies were also alerted that the caller said the woman in the passenger seat, later identified as Amanda Vanraalte, 40, transient, may have a gun on her, Wood said.

Deputies confirmed Vanraalte's identity and learned she was on probation, so they detained her and searched the SUV as allowed under the terms of her probation.

"They found a revolver and five bullets inside a purse in the car," Wood said. "After finishing their search and speaking with Vanraalte, deputies determined the gun belonged to Vanraalte."

Vanraalte was taken to Sonoma County jail where she was booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a gun, and a felon carrying a concealed weapon.

She was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, Wood said.