Eliaser Hernandez-Valadez, a 33-year-old from Santa Rosa, was nabbed by police Wednesday night after a brief chase on foot that concluded with a little high-tech help.
The Petaluma Police Department responded to a video burglary alarm at a construction site on the 500 block of Madison Street at 8:14 PM. Community Impact Response Team (CIRT) officers spotted Hernandez-Valadez inside a garage within the fenced-off area. He took off when he saw them, leading police on a chase that went through the complex and over a fence to Lynch Creek Trail before he disappeared into the night, according to a statement from the police department.
The search perimeter was established swiftly, and aid came from above as the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office's helicopter, dubbed “Henry-1,” was called in. The crew aboard Henry-1 located Hernandez-Valadez hiding along the creek path behind a flood wall barrier. With direction from Henry-1, officers on the ground took him into custody without further issue.
Ultimately, Hernandez-Valadez was carted off to the Sonoma County Jail Main Adult Detention Facility, where he was booked on charges including Criminal Trespassing and Resisting Arrest. The successful capture was an example of inter-agency cooperation that the Petaluma Police lauded, expressing gratitude to the Henry-1 crew for keeping the peace. "Their willingness to always help" and their roles as an "invaluable asset for law enforcement" were explicitly appreciated, the police department emphasized on their end.
As part of the ongoing effort to crack down on crime and enhance public safety, the Petaluma Police Department contacts locals to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. For further information on the incident, Sergeant Jake Gutierrez of the Petaluma Police can be reached by email at [email protected] or 707-778-4532.
