Police Arrest Man In Beating Assault In Rohnert Park

A Santa Rosa man was arrested Tuesday for an alleged attempted murder at a Rohnert Park residence earlier this month, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

Joseph Tewolde, 25, is suspected of beating a 27-year-old man from out-of-state at a residence on Racquet Club Circle on June 13, Sgt. Jeff Justice said. The victim, who lived in California about five years ago, was visiting the residence when he was beaten around 9 a.m., Justice said.

His injuries were considered potentially life threatening, but he was released from the hospital after several days in the intensive care unit, Justice said. The victim and Tewolde were acquainted, and the assault is believed to be related to a dispute about a debt the victim owed to Tewolde, Justice said.

A woman who lived in the home, 30-year-old Karla Smith, was arrested on marijuana sales and transportation charges, Justice said. She is associated with Tewolde and the marijuana was transported across the country, Justice said.

Police from Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma and the Drug Enforcement Administration served search warrants Tuesday at two residences in Santa Rosa, Justice said.

Tewolde was arrested for attempted murder as he drove away from his residence on Decker Street in Santa Rosa, and police found a loaded semi-automatic pistol in his vehicle, Justice said. He is being held under $1 million bail and were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court.

Tewolde’s brother Daniel Tewolde, 26, and Aman Berhe, 31, both of Santa Rosa, were at the Rohnert Park residence during the assault and their role in it is still under investigation, Justice said.

Daniel Tewolde was arrested Tuesday for violating the terms of his probation for an accessory to a shooting and narcotics sales offense, and Berhe was arrested Tuesday for violating his post release community supervision related to a drugs and firearms possession case, Justice said.

Both are being held in the Sonoma County Jail under no bail and also were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court.

The Tewoldes and Berhe are known to be affiliated with a criminal street gang, and they have numerous previous incidents involving firearms, Justice said.

--Bay City News