SRPD Gang Crimes Team make arrests following investigation into significant gang graffiti in the downtown area.

On December 30, 2023, at approximately 10:45 pm, a Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officer assigned to the Special Enforcement Team was conducting proactive patrols in the Downtown Santa Rosa core. He noticed numerous “tags” of graffiti throughout a privately owned parking structure. Based on the nature of the tags, the officer believed the graffiti was gang-related and was able to identify the specific criminal street gang associated with the tags. The officer notified a detective with the recently reinstated SRPD Gang Crimes Investigations Team of the blight found at the parking structure and surrounding area. 

Gang Crimes Team detectives worked quickly to secure security camera footage from the Santa Rosa Plaza. As the investigation continued, Ricardo Reynoso Hernandez, a 21-year-old Santa Rosa resident, and Pedro Rodriguez, an 18-year-old Santa Rosa resident, were identified by a Gang Crimes Team detective as the two suspects responsible for the vandalism. The detective was familiar with both suspects from prior contacts and arrests, and had been able to positively identify them in the security camera video provided by the Santa Rosa Plaza security team. 

Gang participants will often “tag” public places with graffiti to mark territory and challenge rival gangs. Gang graffiti is also used to instill fear in the community so the gang may maintain control over a neighborhood. Based on the detective’s investigation, it is believed the suspects worked in concert to vandalize multiple areas in the downtown area for the betterment and furtherance of their gang. Damage repairs were estimated to be approximately $2,000.00.

Gang Crimes Team detectives arrested Reynoso Hernandez on 01/02/2024, and Rodriguez on 01/08/2024. Both suspects were booked into Sonoma County Jail for the following charges:

594(b)(1) PC - Felony vandalism

186.22(a) PC - Gang enhancement

186.22(b)(1) PC - Gang enhancement

Santa Rosa residents are encouraged to download the “MySantaRosa” app for android and iOS to report neighborhood issues such as graffiti. Locations and photos can be uploaded directly from your mobile device. Please visit https://www.srcity.org/3661/MySantaRosa for more information.

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 23-16445.

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