An armed carjacking suspect was apprehended by Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officers after a chase on foot that included the suspect discharging a firearm. On Tuesday evening, around 8:24 pm, SRPD was alerted to a carjacking on Earle Street and South Davis Street, where the victim was robbed at gunpoint of his belongings and light brown Toyota Sienna van. Although the victim was unharmed during the event, the suspect had escaped with the vehicle.
An SRPD officer spotted the stolen van shortly afterward on Sebastopol Road. As officers attempted to stop the vehicle near Roseland Avenue, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Emilio Torres, fled on foot. According to a social media post by Santa Rosa Police, while being pursued by the officers along the Joe Rodota Trail, Torres fired a shot in a poorly lit area. Despite the danger, officers continued the pursuit and eventually detained Torres with the aid of a K9 unit, finding a butterfly knife in his possession.
A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun, believed to have been fired by Torres, in the backyard of a house on Roseland Avenue. SRPD's Violent Crimes Investigations Team is currently involved, seeking to determine whether Torres shot at the officers during the chase.
SRPD continues to seek information from the public, urging anyone with possible evidence to contact the SRPD VCI tip line at 707-543-3690 to assist with the ongoing investigation referenced by Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-322.
