Slow speed pursuit and less lethal methods used to nab wanted suspect
Photo: Woolsey and Wood Roads
SANTA ROSA – On the evening of July 12th, a deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle for reckless driving.
The vehicle continued driving at around 25 m.p.h. As the vehicle went on, it failed to stop at a red light and crossed into oncoming traffic.
The driver, 22-year-old Fabian Romero, was also wanted on three outstanding warrants for evading, traffic and weapons violations.
Spike strips were deployed which helped to stop the vehicle near Woolsey and Wood Roads. However, Romero did not come out of the vehicle and held two knives to his own throat.
The SCSO said, “Members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT) as well as members of the Special Operations Unit (SOU) responded to the location. ”
Romero remained in the car for several hours, not responding to a mental health physician and some of his family members. He began drinking beer, smoking, and taunting law enforcement from within his vehicle.
Law enforcement deployed gas into the vehicle, which prompted Romero to finally exit the vehicle, but he still didn’t surrender. Then less lethal, 40mm rounds were deployed, as well as a K-9.
Romero got back into his car, and the K-9 tried to subdue him again, this time successfully.
The SCSO says that “Romero will be booked after medical clearance for new charges as well as his pending warrants.”
