SRPD makes an arrest following an attack on an elderly driver

On November 11, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m., the Santa Rosa Police Department Communications Center received a call about an assault stemming from a collision earlier the same evening. An officer with the Santa Rosa Police Department was dispatched to the 2600 block of Bellevue Ranch Road to meet with the victim, a 70-year-old male resident of Santa Rosa. The victim was waiting for the officer near a damaged vehicle parked in front of a residence. The officer noticed the victim had significant facial injuries, specifically around his left eye and nose. The victim also was experiencing pain in his lower back and left leg.  

The investigating officer learned that shortly before 5:30 p.m., the victim witnessed a white Lexus sedan collide with a parked vehicle belonging to one of the victim’s relatives. The driver of the vehicle continued to drive eastbound on Bellevue Ranch Road. In his own vehicle, the victim followed the suspect vehicle and until it eventually pulled over on Ryder Drive. The victim spoke with the 26-year-old female driver of the vehicle and began to exchange insurance and vehicle information. During the exchange of information, the woman had called Thomas Barajas of Santa Rosa, a 20-year-old associate of hers. 

Barajas and the victim spoke briefly on the phone before the victim returned the phone to the woman and continued the exchange of insurance and vehicle information. Shortly thereafter, Barajas arrived at the scene in a separate vehicle and accosted the elderly victim. Barajas forcibly took the victim’s cellphone from his hands and threw it into a nearby field to prevent the victim from calling for emergency assistance. Barajas then produced a screwdriver and attempted to stab the victim in the abdomen. The victim was able to grab ahold of the screwdriver as he fell to the ground, preventing him from being stabbed. The victim was able to wrestle the screwdriver away from Barajas. Barajas then hit and kicked the victim numerous times while he was on the ground.  

After the attack, Barajas and the woman returned to their respective vehicles and left the scene. The victim drove himself home and later called the police to report the incident. Due to the extent of the victim’s injuries, the officer requested an ambulance respond to the residence. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and later released.  

Officers and detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI) were able to identify the driver of the Lexus based on information given to the victim following the collision. As they continued their investigation, they learned about Barajas’s identity and what vehicle he was driving. On November 12, 2025, detectives located Barajas’s unoccupied vehicle in the area of Montecito Boulevard and Benecia Street. When Barajas was observed by detectives returning to his vehicle at approximately 3:00 p.m., a uniformed SRPD officer detained him without incident.  

Barajas was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for the following offenses: 

211 PC – Robbery 

245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a deadly weapon 

368(b)(1) PC – Elder abuse 

Based on the investigation, it was determined the woman was not involved in the attack on the victim and therefore, her identity will not be disclosed.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-12273. 

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.