Multi-city, high-speed police chase ends in two arrests in Rohnert Park

Two men led area law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Santa Rosa to Rohnert Park during rush hour Thursday afternoon before getting stuck between cars in parked traffic, at which point they were arrested on drug and gang allegations.

The chase began about 4:40 p.m. after Santa Rosa police Officer Luis Pe? saw a black Honda Accord drive through a stop sign on State Farm Drive and Cleveland Avenue, police said in a news release.

When the officer tried to stop the Accord, the driver sped away and the passenger tossed a box out his window, police said. Officers later found the box held more than a half-pound of methamphetamine, police said. That amount could be worth about $10,000 on the street, authorities said.

The Accord's driver, later identified as Rolando Hernandez-Azpeitia, 23, of Rohnert Park, led police on a chase down Highway 12 toward Sebastopol, then back toward Santa Rosa, then down Stony Point Road, where he exceeded 90 mph, police said. He drove into Cotati, then back to Rohnert Park, eventually ending up at the congested intersection of Rohnert Park Expressway and Commerce Drive. He tried to get through by driving between two rows of cars stopped at the traffic signal, police said. But instead he struck four cars, causing minor damage, and ended up getting his vehicle wedged between the cars.

At that point, police were able to detain Hernandez-Azpeitia and his passenger, Andy Razo Albor, 20, of Novato.

The chase drew a huge response from local law enforcement. The Sheriff's helicopter, Henry 1, followed the pursuit overhead while police officers from Cotati and Rohnert Park and Sheriff's deputies assisted.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation of methamphetamine, with gang enhancements. Police said both men are documented gang members and that drug sales are a growing aspect of gang business.

Hernandez-Azpeitia was also arrested on suspicion of recklessly evading officers and driving into opposing traffic while evading. Santa Rosa police detectives served search warrants on the mens' homes following the chase, which yielded some marijuana and further evidence of gang involvement, police said.

You can reach Staff Writer at jamie.hansen@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5205. On Twitter @JamieHansen.