ID Theft Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests for ID Theft and Weapons Violations

In September 2023, the Santa Rosa Property Crimes Investigation Team (PCI) began an investigation into mail theft and credit card fraud. Detectives identified the suspect as 34-year-old Windsor resident, Michael Stromberg. During this lengthy investigation, Stromberg was determined to be in violation of 35 felony violations based on his extensive identity theft and fraudulent activities. He was also on CDC parole at the time of this investigation.

On 01/02/2024, Detectives from PCI and the Narcotics Team, with the assistance of one of our K9 teams, located Stromberg driving a vehicle on northbound US 101 at the Mendocino Av off-ramp. Detectives conducted a traffic stop, pursuant to a search warrant, and detained Stromberg without incident.

Detectives then responded to the 7800 block of Country Meadow Way, Windsor, to execute the service of a search warrant at that location. Detectives conducted knock/notice and heard a female inside the residence who refused to open the door. After several warnings that the door would be forced open, the occupants still refused to open the door. Detectives forced open the door and detained the female occupant, later identified as 38-year-old Windsor resident, Tamy Alexander. She was accompanied by her two minor children.

As detectives began to clear the first floor of the residence, it was learned a male subject barricaded himself inside the garage. After several announcements to the subject to come out, he eventually exited the garage and was detained without incident after approximately ten minutes. The subject was identified as 43-year-old Windsor resident, Seth Bulcke.

Once the residence was clear, SRPD K9 "Ghost", who is trained in the detection of firearms, was deployed inside the garage in an attempt to locate firearms. K9 "Ghost" alerted at multiple locations within the garage for the presence of firearms. Detectives then began an extensive search of the residence, pursuant to a search warrant. Detectives located numerous drug paraphernalia items (glass pipes, hypodermic syringes, and burned aluminum foil) strewn about the residence. These paraphernalia items all contained narcotic/controlled substance residue. If one of the children inside the residence were to touch the paraphernalia, accidental exposure resulting in great bodily injury or death would likely occur.

Detectives located extensive evidence of firearm manufacturing and illegal firearm parts (silencers, AR-15 kits, lower receivers, jigs, etc) in the garage where Bulcke resided. Additionally, three handguns were located, which included a .22 caliber pistol that looked like a flare gun, a privately manufactured 9mm semiautomatic handgun, and a shotgun. Methamphetamine, heroin, and drug paraphernalia were also located where Bulcke resided.

Detectives located suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, and numerous drug paraphernalia items in the master bathroom and bedroom. Additionally, two semiautomatic handguns were located in a drawer in the master bedroom.

During this investigation, detectives learned Bulcke had a storage unit in Windsor and believed it contained additional firearms. Detectives authored a search warrant for the storage unit and later searched the storage unit pursuant to the search warrant.  Detectives located sixteen firearms in total and six of those firearms were assault weapons.

Stromberg was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for 37 felony violations that included, but not limited to, Identity Theft, Elder Abuse, Forgery, and Possession of Stolen Property.

Alexander was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for the following violations:

• 148(a)(1) PC – Resist, delay, or obstruct a peace officer’s lawful duty
• 273a(a) PC – Felony Child Endangerment
• 11370.1(a) H&S – Possess a controlled substance while armed
• 29800(a)(1) PC – Prohibited person in possession of a firearm
• 11350(a) H&S – Possession of narcotics
• 11364(a) – Possession of drug paraphernalia

• 11370.1(a) H&S – Possess a controlled substance while armed
• 29800(a)(1) PC – Prohibited person in possession of a firearm
• 33410 PC – Possession of a silencer
• 21810 PC – Possession of metal knuckles
• 30605 PC – Possession of an assault weapon (6 counts)