Rival gang members sentenced in Santa Rosa drug store robbery

Two rival Santa Rosa gang members who prosecutors said cooperated in the robbery of prescription cough medicine from a drug store were sentenced Monday to state prison.

James Kamau and Rodrigo Soloriochavez, both 19, were sentenced in the Sept. 15, 2014 robbery of the Rite Aid store at Guerneville and Marlow roads, prosecutors said.

Kamau, a Crip gang member, held two employees at gunpoint while Soloriochavez, a norteño gang member, jumped over a counter and stole several bottles of Promethazine.

The prescription cough syrup is often used in combination with soda in a concoction known as “Sizzurp” or “Purple Drank,” prosecutors said.

The men were captured on surveillance cameras and identified by Santa Rosa police investigators.

Kamau was sentenced to nine years eight months in prison and Soloriochavez was sentenced to six years.

Prosecutors said the case is an example of a trend in gang culture in which members of different gangs work together to achieve a single criminal goal.

“These convictions and sentences are a just outcome for the frightening and violent crime committed by these two gang members,” District Attorney Jill Ravitch said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.