Serial Bank Robbery Suspects Arrested, Police Say

SANTA ROSA, CA — Police have made two arrests in connection with three December bank robberies in Santa Rosa.

Steven Sergio Gonzales, 38, of Santa Rosa and Sacramento, is suspected in connection with a bank robbery Dec. 4 at Exchange Bank on Stony Point Road and another bank robbery Dec. 21 at Chase Bank on Sonoma Avenue.

Gonzales was arrested Dec. 30 by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office in connection with robberies in the Sacramento area. He remains in custody in Sacramento County in lieu of $3 million bail.

Aklilu Asefaha, 44, of Berkeley, was arrested Sunday in Berkeley when police contacted him in a suspicious vehicle.

"Asefaha had an outstanding arrest warrant associated with a bank robbery in Novato, California," Santa Rosa police Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said.

Santa Rosa police investigators believe Asefaha committed a bank robbery Dec. 28 at Bank of America on Sonoma Avenue during which the suspect handed the teller a bag and demanded money.

No arrests have been announced in connection with two other recent Sonoma County bank robberies; one happened Oct. 26 at Wells Fargo on Padre Parkway in Rohnert Park, the other was reported Dec. 19 at Bank of America, 6545 Hunter Dr. in Rohnert Park.

Asefaha is suspected in at least one Rohnert Park bank robbery and some in Marin, Mahurin told Patch.

"I don’t have the specifics on their cases, but I know he is their person of interest," Mahurin said.

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