Felon With Gun Hits Police Car In Pursuit: Santa Rosa PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A felon in possession of a firearm who led officers on a pursuit and hit a patrol car early Wednesday morning was ultimately apprehended by a police dog, Santa Rosa police said. Officers started pursuing Sean Ryan McCarthy, 36, of Santa Rosa, and his passenger, Humberto Ibarra Sanchez, 33, of Santa Rosa, at about 1:24 a.m. Wednesday after responding to a report of two men trying to enter a residence near the 1800 block of West Steele Lane, according to a Santa Rosa Police Department news release.

One of the responding officers saw a silver SUV speed away from the area and tried to conduct a traffic stop but the driver, later identified as McCarthy, kept going, SRPD police Sgt. Hector De Leon said in the news release.

When McCarthy drove the SUV onto a cul-de-sac and had to turn around, he hit the officer's car as he sped off, according to police.

The officer continued chasing McCarthy southbound through northwest Santa Rosa and eventually westbound onto College Avenue, De Leon said.

McCarthy lost control of the SUV at College Avenue and Marlow Road and crashed into a tree, according to police.

McCarthy and Sanchez reportedly got out of the wrecked car and started running off.

Sanchez was apprehended by an officer but a perimeter had to be set up in order to catch McCarthy, De Leon said.

McCarthy was reportedly located behind some businesses, at which point a police K-9 was deployed and successfully apprehended him, according to police.

A loaded firearm was found in the SUV, De Leon said.

McCarthy and Sanchez are accused of trying to enter the residence near 1800 W. Steele Lane and were identified by witnesses in the vandalism of one of the homeowner's vehicles, according to police.

McCarthy was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, felony vandalism, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, resisting arrest, felony evading a police officer, felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor hit-and-run, De Leon said.

Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, conspiracy and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, police said.

McCarthy was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail Wednesday morning, according to Sonoma County sheriff's jail records.

Jail records for Sanchez were not found, indicating he may have already been released from custody.