Two Arrested in Sonoma Plaza During Four-Hour Chase, Search

The Sonoma Plaza was the scene of a cops-and-robbers “caper” for several hours Wednesday that ended up with two people in jail on multiple charges, including stolen vehicle, illegal firearms and resisting arrest.

At about 10:21 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Temelec Circle near Schelville, in the southern part of Sonoma Valley off Arnold Dr. The reporting party said a man, described as a tall Native American or Hispanic with heavily tattooed arms, had attempted to break into his vehicle. Near the suspect was a burgundy van with a woman sitting inside.

Responding Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at 10:24, and saw the suspect vehicle at Arnold Dr. at Petaluma Ave and made a traffic stop. Although the woman was in the driver’s seat, the deputy “noticed a male hiding in the fully reclined passenger’s seat,” according to Chief Bret Sackett of the Sonoma Police Department.

The woman sped away before the deputy could follow up or stop her, and the van’s side view mirror hit the deputy in the arm as it drove off. A witness later reported seeing the occupants of the van throwing a loaded shotgun of the vehicle at the intersection of Petaluma Ave. and Riverside Dr. The shotgun was recovered.

Deputies lost sight of the van was lost near Hwy. 12 and West Spain St.; a short time later the van was found abandoned in the 300 block of 1st St. West. It was determined that the burgundy van had been reported stolen in Corcord, Calif.

Deputies began searching the area around the Sonoma Plaza and nearby, and it was reported a man was seen running through the vineyard near Lovall Valley Rd. and Gerhicke. The Sheriff's helicopter, numerous deputies, a Sheriff’s K-9 unit, and CHP ground and air units all responded to help with the search.

Meanwhile the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center had called surrounding businesses and residences informing them of the search, and requested anyone with information to call.  At 1 p.m. their calls were rewarded, when a man matching the suspect’s description entered the La Casa Mexican Restaurant and asked to use the phone.

The Press Democrat reported that as Floriberto Mondragon at La Casa Mexican Restaurant overheard the man on the phone saying he was “trying to get picked up in front of the (Sonoma) Cheese Factory.

“He asked me if this was the square and where the Cheese Factory was,” the PD reported.

Deputies converged to the restaurant, guns drawn, and arrested the male suspect before he could find the Cheese Factory. He was identified as 37-year-old James Rivas of Oakland, CA. Deputies continued searching for the female suspect in and around the Sonoma Plaza.

Rivas was arrested for possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of ammunition, a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, resisting arrest, violation of Community Parole (PRCS) and an outstanding warrant for vehicle theft out of Alameda County.

The woman in the burgundy van, however, remained missing, but not for long. At about 2 o’clock, a resident in the 300 block of 1st. St. West – where the burgundy van was later found – “reported her home had been burglarized and her Toyota Camry had been stolen with the last hour,” Sackett said.

“Evidence at the burglary scene indicated the female suspect changed out of her clothes and into some of the victim's clothing,” Sackett said.

By 2:15, deputies had found the Camry parked in front of the Cheese Factory on Spain St. They staked out the vehicle in unmarked cars and waited for the female suspect to return.

At 2:45 she returned to the car, wearing clothing from the burgled woman and carrying a bag of items she had stolen from the house. She was arrested without incident, and has been identified as 33-year-old Marissa Serafino out of Oakland.

Serafino was charged with felony evading arrest, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, burglary, vehicle theft, weapons charges, and possession of stolen property. She was also arrested on an outstanding burglary warrant out of Alameda County.

“It was quite a caper,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Cecille Foucha of the Sonoma Valley Substation. “It was an admirable job by all our officers.”