Knife-Wielding Suspect Detained In Shopping Center: SRPD

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Police arrested a woman who was reportedly chasing people with a knife and threatening to harm them near a busy shopping area.

Dispatchers with the Santa Rosa Police Department received several 911 calls on Sunday afternoon reporting a woman threatening to stab passers-by near a Safeway in the 2200 block of Mendocino Avenue.

Callers described the suspect as a blonde woman wearing a white shirt and black leggings, who was heading south toward a Chase Bank parking lot.

Officers located the woman near the front of the bank, where she stood holding a knife. She refused commands to surrender, pointed the weapon at officers, and told them to stay back, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

In response, authorities temporarily shut down southbound traffic on Mendocino Avenue and staged medical personnel nearby.

When the woman threatened police, officers launched a "less-lethal projectile" and then used a Taser before arresting her.

Emergency crews took the woman, Tiffany Espinoza, 55, to a local hospital to treat minor injuries from the arrest.

Police arrested Espinoza on suspicion of criminal threats, brandishing a weapon, and resisting officers through force or threats. Police said they reopened Mendocino Avenue after searching the area and confirming that Espinoza was the sole person injured. They then allowed nearby businesses to reopen.

Anyone who witnessed the event or had contact with Espinoza should contact Santa Rosa Police Officer Mann at bmann@srcity.org.