Report Of Man With Machete Leads To 6-Mile Chase: Rohnert Park DPS

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A report about a man brandishing a machete and trying to ram a car early Saturday in Rohnert Park led to a six-mile chase that ultimately ended in the man's arrest, police said.

The report came in around 2 a.m. Saturday and when officers responded to the scene in the 900 block of Golf Course Drive, they saw the driver of a white-and-red Chevrolet Suburban operating the SUV recklessly and chasing a security vehicle.

The driver of the Suburban, later identified as Daniel Dickens, 36, failed to yield to officers and a pursuit ensued, according to Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Lt. Andrew Smith.

The slow-speed pursuit continued for six miles and came to an end at South A Street and Earl Street in the city of Santa Rosa.

"While giving orders to Dickens to exit the vehicle, Dickens put his vehicle in gear and attempted to flee again," Smith said. "In an effort to prevent Dickens from fleeing and reduce the risk of danger to the officers and public safety, an officer used his marked police vehicle to prevent Dickens’ vehicle from moving. When Dickens refused to comply with orders to exit his vehicle, officers deployed foam projectiles, breaking the vehicle windows."

Officers then used pepper spray but it had no effect on Dickens, the lieutenant said.

After 20 minutes of negotiating with Dickens, he exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident, Smith said.

Dickens was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony evading with wanton disregard, felony possession of personal information to obtain credit, and misdemeanor throwing substance at a vehicle.

Dickens remained in custody Monday with his bail set at $20,000 pending a court appearance set for Tuesday morning, jail records showed.

The Santa Rosa Police Department and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office assisted Rohnert Park DPS with the incident.

Rohnert Park DPS asked anyone with information about the incident to call Dispatch at 707-584-2600 and refer to case number 22-3557.