A Santa Rosa man with a history of lewd behavior, Joseph Michael Simmons, has been arrested again after an incident involving a woman's car. The Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) detailed that Simmons, already on probation for past offenses, was apprehended for depositing bodily fluid on a car door handle and filming the woman's reaction. According to the Hoodline report, this occurred in the busy Coddingtown Center, leading to his quick capture after being spotted by the victim.
Simmons' latest arrest came when loss prevention agents at a retail store on Santa Rosa Avenue witnessed him secretly photographing women, a behavior that previously led to his prohibition from certain establishments. Having taken place last Thursday, the incident led to his arrest by SRPD for violation of his probation, as detailed in a statement from the SRPD. Sharing information from the Facebook post by the Santa Rosa Police Department, Simmons was also charged with violating a court order.
The pattern of offenses attributed to Simmons paints a disconcerting portrait of his actions over several years. In 2023, Simmons was convicted of public lewdness and had previously faced accusations of indecent exposure, which goes back to incidents occurring in 2020. As reported by Hoodline, the SRPD's Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team is now leading an investigation into the vehicle tampering case.
Authorities urge anyone with information that could further the investigations into these crimes to contact the DVSA tip line. "Santa Rosa Police Case number 24-10016" provided in the Facebook post by the SRPD, should be referenced when giving a tip. Members of the community, rattled by the consistent nature of these crimes, are encouraged to step forward as the SRPD works to ensure safety and justice. For media inquiries, contact is directed to Sgt. Patricia Seffens at the SRPD.
