Manhunt underway

Sonoma County narcotics officers attempted to arrest a wanted man Monday night, but he got away and officers are asking the public for help in finding him.

Suspect Jesse Russell, 22, is wanted for two warrants, including one without bail, Sgt. Bret Sackett said.

Members of the Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force were watching him Monday night at about 7:45 p.m. in Petaluma when he and a female got into a car driven by another man. The undercover officers followed and asked for help from Petaluma police to stop the car.

Petaluma officers stopped the car on Old Redwood Highway near George Street in Cotati. The suspect ran from the car, Sackett said.

The driver sped off and after a short pursuit involving Petaluma and Cotati police, the car stopped on Beverly Drive in Rohnert Park.

The driver, Robert Hughes, 22, ran. He was soon found and arrested for suspicion of receiving stolen property, evading police, possession of a gun by a convicted felon and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Hughes was booked into Sonoma County Jail.

The female, a teenager, was arrested for suspicion of possessing a concealed gun in a car. She was taken to county Juvenile Hall.

An extensive search failed to find Russell, but officers found a small bag of suspected methamphetamines, which they believe he dropped as he ran.

While searching the car, officers found several items believed to be stolen, including a handgun with its serial number removed, Sackett said.

He asked anyone has information about Russell to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 565-2650.