Helicopter footage shows Sonoma County deputies chase retail theft suspects
By: Three East Bay residents are accused of coming to Sonoma County to carry out an organized retail theft and then leading law enforcement 100-mph chase down U.S. Highway 101.
Shortly after 2:45 p.m. Monday, officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department were sent to investigate a theft at Dicks Sporting Goods, 975 Cleveland Ave. in Santa Rosa.
Employees said three people loaded significant merchandise into garbage bags before leaving the store. The employees provided police with a vehicle description and license plate number as the suspects fled from the store.
Shortly after the call, an officer saw the car heading south on U.S. Highway 101 near Hearn Avenue.
Sonoma County sheriff’s Henry-1 helicopter crew saw the car get onto the freeway and coordinated with deputies on the ground who were available to help with a traffic stop.
When deputies tried to stop the car, a pursuit ensued.
The chase ended when the suspect car was in a traffic collision on southbound 101 on the Cotati grade, south of and Petaluma Bouelvard North.
"The suspect vehicle drove in excess of 100 mph in all lanes including the shoulders, eventually hitting another vehicle causing injury to the driver," the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.
Sheriff's deputies took all three suspect into near the site of the crash. The footage showed at least one of the suspects tried to run, but was apprehended by a deputy on foot.
The chase, crash and arrest are shown in this video shared by the sheriff's office.
Whe detectives from Santa Rosa PD's Property Crimes Investigations Team took over the theft investigation, they soon learned the crew was likely responsible for a series of similar thefts at several Bay Area Dick's Sporting Goods stores.
The suspects were identified as Oakland residents Brandon Owens, 23; Roy Andrew, Jr., 22; and Heaven Henry, 20.
Dick's employees estimated the theft crew was responsible for over $75,000 in losses.
Detectives recovered $5,800 in stolen merchandise in a search of the car, including clothes worn by the suspects in the Santa Rosa heist, police said. It was also alleged that a loaded privately manufactured firearm was also found hidden within the car.
After they were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries suffered in the collision, all three were booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony organized retail theft, felony conspiracy, felony burglary, felony carrying a concealed firearm and felony carrying a loaded firearm.
Andrew was also arrested in connection with the pursuit and a felony warrant for robbery and gun charges out of Alameda County.
Owens had a felony warrant out of Berkeley for burglary.
Henry was also accused of resisting/obstructing arrest and providing a false name to peace officers. She was still in the custody of Sonoma County Tuesday with her bail set at $45,000.