A two-day crime spree in the Sonoma Valley ended with a suspect behind bars, according to the Sonoma Sheriff’s Office. Hector Martinezloyola, a 20-year-old transient man, was arrested for a series of felonies after allegedly robbing a business at gunpoint and then burglarizing a separate location the following morning. The first incident took place on December 16 at about 10:30 p.m., when Martinezloyola reportedly brandished a handgun at an employee, looted the cash register, and absconded with both the money and a bottle of alcohol from a business on Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen, as detailed in an official report released by the Sonoma Sheriff.
The next day, at approximately 9:20 a.m., deputies were called to Warm Springs Road for a burglary in progress. Here, the suspect was observed collecting various kitchen supplies before disappearing again. Law enforcement quickly identified the man in the surveillance footage as the same individual from the previous night’s robbery. Swiftly sharing a description and license plate of the get-away car with neighboring agencies led to the quick apprehension of Martinezloyola. A Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety officer spotted a car matching the description around 40 minutes later and conducted a traffic stop.
Martinezloyola was arrested without incident, and a subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered roughly 3.2 grams of cocaine, the wardrobe items he donned during the robbery, a stash of cash, and a realistic-looking replica handgun. The authorities also found the trunk of Martinezloyola's vehicle filled with the stolen kitchen items. The Sonoma Sheriff's Office confirmed that Martinezloyola faces felony robbery and assault charges, misdemeanor drug and fraudulent ID possession charges, and a violation of felony probation.
"This is another example of excellent teamwork amongst our members and local peace officers to keep everyone safe," read a statement from the Sonoma Sheriff's Office. Martinezloyola is currently being held without bail due to the probation violation. The Sonoma Sheriff’s Office utilized the event to encourage others interested in community protection to follow their career opportunity page, asking potential recruits to see their social media for more information. They also expressed gratitude to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety for their pivotal role in the apprehension.
