Suspects in Santa Rosa drive-bys arrested

The Santa Rosa Police Department has announced the arrest of two juveniles suspected of a series of drive-by shootings in the city last week, police said.

The series of three shootings took place in the 1300 block of Rutledge Avenue, the 200 block of Earle Street and the 1700 block of Hoen Avenue that occurred between 12:20 a.m. and 12:54 a.m. Tuesday, according to police.

Police received multiple 911 calls reporting the shootings.

One juvenile in custody is 15 years old and the other is 16 years old. Both are Santa Rosa residents, were on felony probation at the time of the arrests and active in gangs, according to police.

A police investigation alleges that the younger juvenile drove the vehicle involved in the shootings, while the older fired the weapon.

Both were booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Justice Center on suspicion of attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, active gang participation, felony crime to benefit a criminal street gang and violation of juvenile probation.

Residents were inside each of the homes during the shootings in which multiple rounds were fired, but no one was hurt, police said.

Several bullets passed through windows and front walls of the homes and stopped in interior walls.

The police investigation indicated that the suspects targeted individuals of a rival gang in the three homes.

On Friday, police served two search warrants at homes in the 800 block of Aston Avenue and one at a home in the 100 block of Eddy Drive. The searched turned up a loaded handgun and three rifles, all of which police suspect are stolen.

Police reported seeing gang indicia in one or more of the homes.

The Sonoma County Alliance “Take Back Our Community” program is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects involved in the shootings.

Police are encouraging anyone who has information about the shootings to call the Police Department’s gang crimes team at (707) 543-3670.