Suspected gang members arrested in Sonoma car theft

A driver who sped away from a Sonoma police officer early Tuesday crashed his car and subsequently was arrested, along with two others, all suspected of car theft and acting as gang members.

The 20-year-old driver also was suspected of being drunk.

An officer on patrol at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday near Napa Road and Eighth Street East spotted a reckless driver and tried to stop the car, but the driver sped off, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Sgt. Randy Williams reported.

Within two miles, the driver lost control and rolled the car, landing on its roof.

Officers and deputies responding to the crash learned the owner of the car just had called to report it stolen from the Sonoma Safeway parking lot, Williams said.

Officers arrested Malcolm Hermosillo, 20, and Salvador Torres, 18, both of Sonoma and Justin McCune, 18, of Missoula, Mont. The three were arrested on suspicion of felony car theft and conspiracy and participating in a criminal street gang.

Hermosillo also was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and evading an officer.

The trio was taken to the Sonoma County Jail.