Rohnert Park Smoke Shop Employee Runs Down Teen Shoplifters With Car: Police

ROHNERT PARK, CA -- An employee of a Rohnert Park smoke shop has admitted to running down a group of teenagers with his Jeep Wrangler -- injuring one of them -- after the teens allegedly donned masks and stole a marijuana pipe from the business, police said.

Rohnert Park police learned of the incident Wednesday night when a 15-year-old went to a hospital to be treated for injuries he said were suffered when he was hit by a car, according to police Sgt. Jeff Justice. The victim was transferred to a trauma unit and was hospitalized overnight before being released Thursday morning, the sergeant said.

"Through the investigation, it was determined that the victim, his 14-year-old friend, and two other juveniles went to a smoke shop located on Commerce Boulevard in Rohnert Park," Justice said. "One of the other juveniles entered the store, and then the 15- and 14-year-olds pulled masks over their faces and walked into the business.

"An employee, 31-year-old Adam Richardson of Windsor, immediately confronted the two and told them to take the masks off of their faces. The 15-year-old grabbed a marijuana pipe and they ran out of the store with Richardson chasing after them, but he stopped chasing the juveniles as they ran into Copeland Creek."

Richardson then allegedly got into his Jeep Wrangler and went after the teens.

"... There had been several thefts from the store and he wanted to catch them," Justice said.

At 6:50 p.m., Richardson found the 15-year-old and 14-year-old in Alicia Park along Santa Alicia Drive, near the tennis courts. Justice said Richardson drove into the parking lot and accelerated toward the teens, who ran toward the back of John Reed Elementary School, then west through the park.

"Richardson turned and drove through the grass after the juveniles, and he caught up to them just behind one of the classrooms," Justice said. "Richardson drove his Jeep into the 15-year-old, causing the victim to roll up over the hood and front fender of the Jeep and land on his head on the asphalt pathway."

The 15-year-old reportedly pushed the 14-year-old, who was right in front of him, out of the way just before being hit by the Jeep, the sergeant said.

"Richardson came within two feet of hitting the wall of the classroom, and also just missed hitting the 14-year-old," Justice said. "Richardson drove his Jeep around through the grass back towards Santa Alicia Drive as the 15-year-old got up off the ground and the two juveniles jumped the fence into the school to get away."

Richardson eventually left the area when he did not find them, Justice said, and the teens made their way to a friend’s house. When the injured 15-year-old’s mother learned of the incident, she drove him to a hospital.

Thursday morning, police located Richardson and his Jeep at his residence in Windsor.

"Richardson admitted to chasing after the juveniles after they stole from his business the evening before, as well as hitting one of the juveniles with his Jeep," Justice said.

Richardson was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and booked into Sonoma County jail. Bail information was not immediately available Thursday night.

"The two juveniles who went into the store with masks covering their faces and stole the pipe were arrested for shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a crime, and the 14-year-old was additionally arrested for an outstanding warrant," Justice said.

Both teens were booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Detention Facility, the sergeant said.

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