SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team Makes Arrest for 2023 Homicide

The Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI) has made significant progress in the investigation of the July 23, 2023, homicide of Jeffrey Farinha at a Jack in the Box drive-through in south Santa Rosa. Detectives have arrested two suspects believed to be responsible for the shooting death.

On July 24, 2024, SRPD arrested 22-year-old Daniel Perez-Mendoza and 19-year-old Christopher Perez-Mendoza, both residents of Clearlake, California, for the homicide of Jeffrey Farinha. The victim, Jeffrey Farinha, was involved in a disturbance at an apartment complex on Burt Street before encountering the suspects at the Jack in the Box parking lot, where a confrontation turned fatal.

Initially, limited evidence hindered progress in the case, but SRPD VCI detectives diligently pursued leads through witness accounts, surveillance footage, and digital evidence, ultimately identifying Daniel and Christopher as the suspects.

After a year-long investigation, SRPD VCI detectives executed a coordinated traffic stop on Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, apprehending both suspects without incident. Subsequent search warrants were executed at residences in Clearlake, Lakeport, and Santa Rosa, resulting in the seizure of 5 handguns, one rifle, and additional pertinent evidence.

Daniel Perez-Mendoza and Christopher Perez-Mendoza have been booked into Sonoma County Jail on charges including murder, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and possession of a non-serialized firearm.

SRPD encourages anyone with further information regarding this case to contact the VCI Team at 707-543-3590 or submit tips anonymously online at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.

For media inquiries, please contact Sergeant Brandon Matthies at 707-543-3593 or bmatthies@srcity.org, referencing Santa Rosa Police Department case number 23-9042.


**ORIGINAL RELEASE**

On July 23, 2023, at 11:31 p.m., Santa Rosa Police Officers were dispatched to a shooting that just occurred in the parking lot of 2755 Santa Rosa Avenue (Jack in the Box).  Callers reported a male was shot in the restaurant’s drive-thru and the suspects fled the scene.  When officers arrived, they located the adult victim laying in front of the drive-thru.  They observed the victim was shot at least once and not responsive.  Officers rendered medical aide with assistance from Santa Rosa Fire and AMR personnel.  Emergency crews could not revive the victim and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim was identified as Jeffrey Farinha, a 40-year-old Rohnert Park resident.

The Violent Crimes Investigation Team responded and took over the investigation while Field and Evidence Technicians processed the crime scene.  Investigators learned the victim was involved in an altercation with two suspects. During the altercation, at least one suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim striking him multiple times.  The victim fell to the ground and both suspects fled the area eastbound on Burt Street. The suspects were not located by responding officers.

The suspects were described as Hispanic male adults, 18-20 years old, skinny builds, and wearing “ski” masks.
 
At this time, SRPD Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and looking for anyone who has information that would assist with the case. Detectives believe the suspects were last seen running in an eastbound direction in the 200 block of Burt Street. Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in checking private video that may have captured the suspects.  Anyone with information about the investigation is encouraged to contact SRPD through our online Tip Line:  www.srcity.org/CrimeTips. They can also contact the Violent Crimes Investigation Team at (707) 543-3590.
 
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund.  The reward is for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in this homicide.
 
Media inquiries may be directed to Sergeant Brandon Matthies at bmatthies@srcity.org.  SRPD case number 23-9042.