ALPR Technology Leads to Identification of Suspect Responsible for Multiple Armed Robberies

Between January 10 and January 15, 2026, four armed robberies and attempted robberies at local gas stations were reported to the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD). In each of the incidents, the suspect was described as an adult male wearing a face mask, dark clothing, and carrying what appeared to be a rifle and had fled the area before police arrival. On the morning of January 15, following the two most recent robbery attempts, detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Team were able to identify Damian Garza, a 23-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, as the suspect in these incidents using Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology. 

On January 10, at approximately 7:30 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery at a Valero gas station at 1101 Yulupa Avenue. The suspect, described as adult male, wearing a black puffy jacket, black shorts, and a mask, entered the business, brandished a rifle, and demanded cash from the clerk. The suspect fled the area with an undisclosed amount of cash.  

On January 13, at approximately 7:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Valero gas station at 1333 4th Street for an attempted armed robbery. An adult male, wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and wearing a mask entered the store and brandished what appeared to be a rifle and demanded cash. The clerk was able to run outside, at which point the suspect also fled the store without any money or merchandise.  

On January 15, at approximately 4:13 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Shell gas station at 255 Dutton Avenue to investigate an alarm call. Upon arrival, officers learned an adult male, wearing dark clothing and a face covering entered the store with what appeared to be a rifle or shotgun concealed under his jacket. After being refused the contents of the cash register drawer, the suspect left the store without any money or merchandise.  

At approximately 6:37 a.m. on January 15, officers were dispatched to the Valero gas stations at 1101 Yulupa Avenue for a report of an armed robbery, the second at this location in five days. The suspect in this incident was wearing clothing similar to the clothing worn during the previous attempted robbery at the Shell station. A rifle or shotgun was seen under his jacket. The suspect fled the area with an undisclosed amount of cash and merchandise.  

No customers were present during any of these incidents, and no gas station employees were injured. The suspect(s) and firearm(s) used in these incidents remain outstanding. 

In each of these incidents, the suspect was able to flee the area prior to the arrival of officers. Extensive searches were conducted, each with negative results. Detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations teams, believing these incidents likely involved the same masked suspect, utilized vehicle data captured by fixed ALPR cameras near the locations of the gas stations. SRPD uses fixed Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras to help investigate serious crimes. These cameras capture license plates, vehicle descriptions, and time-and-location data, allowing detectives to quickly identify and track suspect vehicles involved in crimes such as robberies.  

Detectives located a grey Acura sedan that was in the area of each of the gas stations at times consistent with the robberies and attempted robberies. Using the license plate captured by the cameras, detectives were able to quickly associate Garza with the vehicle.Detectives located the vehicle at Garza’s residence in the 2200 block of Midway Drive. When Garza exited his residence and got into the vehicle, they noted he was of a similar physical build and dressed in similar clothing as the suspect in the investigations earlier in the morning. Detectives followed Garza as he drove away from the residence, and at approximately 9:15 a.m., two uniformed officers with the SRPD Downtown Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on Garza’s vehicle. Garza was detained without incident. 

At approximately 1:30 p.m., detectives served a search warrant at Garza’s house on Midway Drive. During the search warrant, detectives located clothing consistent with each of the robberies, merchandise believed to have been stolen from one of the gas stations, and a pellet rifle.  

As the investigation continued, detectives were able to connect Garza to an unsolved robbery in December 2025. On December 16, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Garza robbed the Valero gas station located at 1101 Yulupa Avenue. He was wearing dark clothing and a Halloween mask. No weapon was seen and no threats of a weapon were made. Garza fled the gas station with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

Garza was booked into Sonoma County Jail for five counts of robbery per 211 PC. 

ALPR technology is a critical tool in reducing and solving violent crimes by providing real-time data that helps identify suspect vehicles and generate actionable leads within minutes. This capability not only accelerates investigations but also prevents dangerous encounters by allowing officers to intercept suspects before violence escalates. This innovation reflects SRPD’s commitment to leveraging technology for faster response times, smarter resource deployment, and violent crime reduction, ensuring a safer Santa Rosa. 

Santa Rosa Police Department case numbers 25-13509, 26-312, 26-422, 26-473, 26-471. 

Media inquiries can be directed to Sgt. Patricia Seffens at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.