2 Suspects In Joe Rodota Trail Stabbings Arrested: SRPD

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Santa Rosa police arrested two homeless suspects Thursday in two separate stabbings at or near homeless encampments along the paved Joe Rodota Trail. Benny Frank Gonzales, 46, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a man with a deadly weapon around 6:25 a.m. Thursday behind 880 N. Wright Road, Sgt. Josh Ludtke said.

The victim, who was living in a tent in a homeless encampment, was stabbed several times in his torso and arms. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that are not life threatening, Ludtke said.

The stabbing occurred after a confrontation with another camp resident when residents of a tent next door were being too loud, Ludtke said.

Police found bloody clothing and the knife believed to be the assault weapon. Gonzales was booked in the Sonoma County Jail under $30,000 bail for assault with a deadly weapon, and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court.

Several hours later, police were following up on an investigation of a stabbing April 25 at a homeless camp behind 777 Sebastopol Road on the Joe Rodota Trail, Ludtke said.

The victim of that stabbing was taken to a hospital where he had a portion of a knife blade removed from his back, Ludtke said. The victim was uncooperative and the motive for the stabbing is unclear.

Detectives identified a homeless suspect and searched for him for several weeks, Ludtke said. The suspect's attorney contacted detectives today to arrange for a meeting, and after the meeting police arrested 38-year-old Robert James Glosser.

Glosser was booked under $32,000 bail for assault with a deadly weapon and violating probation. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court.

The two stabbings are not related, but they occurred about two miles apart on the Joe Rodota Trail, Ludtke said.

Santa Rosa and Sonoma County officials are scheduled to temporarily close the Joe Rodota Trail between Roseland and Dutton avenues Wednesday to remove homeless encampments, trash, hazardous materials, used syringes, food waste and human and animal waste.

Officials said the two-day closure is intended to establish a safe and clean environment for all trail visitors. Signs will mark the closure areas, and Sonoma County Regional Parks is encouraging users to avoid the closed area and use alternate routes.

Occupants of the camps have been asked to voluntarily relocate on Wednesday. County officials said there is sufficient capacity in the homeless system of care to safely shelter or house all of the camp residents.

Sonoma County Regional Parks will store all personnel property of camp occupants who are relocating for up to 60 days if requested. Occupants who remain after Wednesday face trespassing and illegal camping citations, Santa Rosa and Sonoma County officials said.

The 8.5-mile paved Joe Rodota Trail for bicyclists, walkers and runners links Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.

By Bay City News Service

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