Alleged Power Tool Thief Arrested After Foot Chase: Sheriff

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Rosa man was arrested on suspicion of stealing power tools from a home improvement store in unincorporated Sonoma County after a prolonged foot chase Sunday, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

Friedman's Home Improvement at 4055 Santa Rosa Ave. located between Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park reported the theft of power tools worth $600 to the sheriff's office around 5:30 p.m.

A security guard followed the suspect to a business across the street and responding deputies saw the man scale buildings on a plumbing business and a storage complex. The suspect ran into a field east of Friedman's Home Improvements and deputies formed a perimeter near Hunter
Creek Trail.

The suspect, identified as Jose Fragoso, 38, fled through thick bushes to an area off Petaluma Hill Road and Hunter Lane, even stopping at a residence for water, the sheriff's office said. Deputies spotted Fragoso, who entered the creek, and the sheriff's helicopter joined the search.

Fragoso was shot with a Taser after he climbed a short tree and he fell into berry bushes. He was taken into custody and arrested for petty theft, resisting arrest and a probation violation. He was booked in the Sonoma County Jail under $47,500 bail.

— Bay City News Service