Suspect In 7 Sonoma, Marin Armed Robberies Arrested

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Law enforcement agencies in Sonoma and Marin counties teamed up to identify and arrest a Rohnert Park man early this morning on suspicion of committing seven armed robberies and attempted robberies since August. William Drew Hodges, 51, was arrested by a Sonoma County sheriff's SWAT team around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday at his residence in the 200 block of Allan Avenue in Rohnert Park.

Detectives from the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and Santa Rosa Police Department participated in the service of a search warrant at the residence, and the arrest and subsequent interview of Hodges.

Authorities found a black BB gun in Hodges' car that resembled a real firearm and clothing in his car and bedroom that matched clothing seen in surveillance video at several businesses that were robbed, public safety officials said.

Hodges admitted committing the seven robberies with a BB gun in Sonoma and Marin counties, according to the Department of Public Safety.

He was booked into Sonoma County Jail on a no-bail warrant for absconding his parole for a 2010 conviction for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in Sonoma County, and under $100,000 bail for the robbery of a nail salon in Rohnert Park on Sunday.

Hodges and his vehicle were seen in a video in the area of the Rohnert Park nail salon just before the robbery, public safety officials said.

• Rohnert Park Nail Salon Robbed By This Man, Cops Say [PHOTOS]

His arrest came after San Rafael police called the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety on Sunday to report an attempted robbery on Friday that was similar to the nail salon robbery. San Rafael police had identified Hodges as the suspect, along with his vehicle which was very distinct, public safety officials said.

Rohnert Park detectives then began working with detectives and officers from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Petaluma and Cotati police departments regarding all of the robberies.

Monday evening, Hodges’ vehicle was located in the driveway of a home in the 200 block of Allan Avenue in Rohnert Park.

While continuing to work with the other departments, Rohnert Park detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hodges in connection with the Rohnert Park robbery — as well as a search warrant for the house where his car was found.

When the time came to serve the warrant, the assistance of the sheriff's SWAT team was sought because of Hodges having reportedly used a handgun in the robberies. Hodges is said to have exited the house as requested by the SWAT team. He was then placed under arrest without incident, public safety officials said.

Hodges also is suspected of robbing Sally Beauty Supply in Santa Rosa late Monday morning, Yogurt World Sept. 23 in Petaluma, Palm Beach Tan shop Friday in Petaluma and See's Candies Sept. 15 in Petaluma.

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Hodges is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo via Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety