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Crime & Safety

Busy Weekend for Area CHP Results in 23 Arrests


The Santa Rosa CHP arrested 23 people over the weekend including several for serious felonies, said Jonathan Sloat, California Highway Patrol officer today.

On Saturday at approximately 1:20 p.m, CHP officers responded to a call of a motorcycle collision at the intersection of River Rd. and Mirabel Rd. Preliminary investigation indicates the following; Kevin Hess, 50, of Petaluma, was driving eastbound on River Rd. when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of his 2002 Harley Davidson and it fell to the roadway.

Hess’s passenger, Michelle McClelan, 42, of Petaluma, suffered multiple abrasions and possible head and neck trauma. While speaking to Hess, officers noted signs of intoxication. Hess failed field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested on felony DUI charges.

At 7:50 p.m. Saturday, agents with the department of Alcoholic Beverage Control were on highway 101 when they observed a Toyota truck with an unsafe load strapped to the roof. As they observed the vehicle, several large landscaping pots fell off into the roadway.

The agents conducted a traffic stop and contacted CHP for assistance. CHP Officer Christopher Davidson responded and contacted the three parties in the truck. The officer and agents observed that one passenger, identified as Frank Batcher, 54, of Guerneville, was laying in the bed of the truck unrestrained. A records check revealed that Batcher was wanted on a felony no bail warrant for violation of his Post Release Community Supervision, and he was immediately placed in custody.

While speaking to the driver, identified as Michael Oldendorf, 42, of Rohnert Park, and passenger, Nina Montalbano, 27, of Novato, the officer noted the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A subsequent search found marijuana, tar heroin, drug paraphernalia, and multiple prescription medications.

Montalbano was booked on charges of possession of narcotics, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Oldendorf was booked on charges of furnishing and transporting narcotics.

At 10:35 p.m. Saturday Alberto Retamar Garcia, 42, of Hercules, was driving a Toyota Yaris eastbound on Bodega Ave. near Thompson Ln, when he allowed the vehicle to cross the double yellow line. The Toyota struck an eastbound Toyota Corolla driven by Cristina Bautista, 30, of Petaluma.

Garcia suffered minor injuries. Bautista suffered multiple non-life threatening injuries including possible multiple broken bones. Bautista was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. While speaking to Garcia, officers noted signs of intoxication and began a DUI evaluation. After being cleared by medical personnel, Garcia was arrested and booked for felony DUI.

On Sunday at 8:10 a.m, CHP Officer Ron Benfer stopped Adrian Magana Chavez, 21, of Ukiah, for driving 103 mph on northbound 101 north of Arata Ln between Windsor and Healdsburg. Chavez stated that he was on his way home from Santa Rosa. Upon contact the officer noted signs of intoxication. Chavez was subsequently arrested and faces enhancement charges of driving more than 30 mph over the maximum speed limit while DUI.

At 9:30 p.m. Sunday Officer David Stewart stopped a 1994 Saturn for speeding on Guerneville Rd. near Abramson Rd. The officer contacted the driver, who was identified as Jonathan Cawley, 36, of Santa Rosa. A records check revealed that Cawley was a wanted parolee at large who was paroled for drug convictions. Cawley was booked into the Sonoma County jail for the outstanding warrant. 

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