Driver corralled after leading police on chase from Rohnert Park to SR

<p>The white pickup truck was pulling onto Highway 101 from Commerce Boulevard Friday evening when a Rohnert Park public safety officer noticed the headlights were off.</p><p>It was about 7:30 p.m.and rainy. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren, but the truck didn't stop, and instead traveled northbound on the freeway, weaving between lanes at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.</p><p>The driver of another vehicle, who noticed the emergency lights and sirens, began to pull over to the right when the pickup struck his car, breaking the tail-light.</p><p>The chase continued to Farmers Lane and south to Bennett Valley Road, finally onto Tachevah Drive and ending at Knolls Drive.</p><p>The Rohnert Park officer was joined by a Santa Rosa police officer and a Rohnert Park sergeant with a K-9 unit. When the driver did not respond, officers broke the window on the passenger side, the police dog bit the driver and was called off when the driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, could not be budged.</p><p>Officers finally removed Duane Croft, 41, of Santa Rosa from the car and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, evading a police officer, reckless driving, and hit and run.</p><p>He was taken to Sutter Medical Center and treated for his dog bite. He subsequently was booked into Sonoma County Jail.</p><p>-- Martin Espinoza</p>