Santa Rosa police use Taser on 17-year old in downtown chase

Santa Rosa police officers used a Taser on a 17-year-old male Friday afternoon during a foot chase that ended shortly after the suspect ran through the back door of Mac?s Deli in downtown Santa Rosa.

Police said the youth ran after bicycle patrol officers found him and an 18-year-old Sebastopol resident in possession of a small amount of marijuana in an area near the Comstock mall and Santa Rosa Avenue.

At about 3:40 p.m., officers stopped to talk to the two males because they were apparently seen smoking cigarettes. Police initiated an investigation for juvenile in possession of tobacco and soon found the marijuana.

That?s when the younger male ran, crossing Third Street and heading toward Fourth Street, police said.

With officers in pursuit, the youngster ran into the back door of Mac?s Deli, through the restaurant, according to a police statement.

It?s unclear whether the boy was shot with the Taser inside the popular eatery or shortly after exiting through the front. No further information was available Saturday morning.

The youth was struck in the back by the Taser and immediately fell to the ground. Police said he was taken into custody without further incident.

He was booked into Sonoma County Jail for resisting arrest, possession of marijuana and possession of tobacco by a juvenile. His name is being withheld because he is a juvenile.