DUI Suspect Leads Sonoma Deputies On Chase: Sheriff's Office

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A Santa Rosa man who reportedly led Sonoma County sheriff's deputies on a vehicle pursuit Sunday morning was arrested in Sonoma County after he was allegedly found to have a blood-alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies first encountered the suspect -- later identified as Alex Colmar, 29, of Santa Rosa -- shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday as he was traveling south on U.S. Highway 101 in a tan Nissan Sentra. As Colmar took the downtown Santa Rosa exit, deputies activated their vehicle's overhead lights in an attempt to pull him over but Colmar allegedly continued driving, leading the deputies on a pursuit.

Sheriff's officials said Colmar drove several blocks and ran several red lights and stop signs before finally stopping in the parking lot of a church on 10th Street, where he allegedly got out of his car and walked away.

Colmar allegedly ignored commands from deputies to surrender and had to be forced to the ground to be arrested, sheriff's officials said.

An investigation allegedly revealed that Colmar's BAC level was three times the legal limit to drive. Colmar also had a passenger in his vehicle who admitted that Colmar was drinking alcohol inside the vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies searched the vehicle and found numerous alcohol containers inside, sheriff's officials said.

Colmar was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and leading authorities on a vehicle pursuit.

Booking records showed Colmar remained in custody Monday at the Main Adult Detention Facility in Santa Rosa. He was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Colmar was not injured during the arrest, sheriff's officials said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photos via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office