Suspected shoplifter dashes across Highway 101 in Windsor

A man suspected of shoplifting from a Wal-Mart store in Windsor while armed with a knife, then fleeing from store security, dashing across nearby Highway 101 and bringing traffic to a brief halt, was apprehended Tuesday morning, police officials said.

Windsor police suspect Randall Hendry, 32, a Santa Rosa-area transient, ran from store security staff with an armful of clothes, alcohol and other items, reportedly saying ‘Stop chasing me or I’ll stab you,’ Sgt. Andy Cash said.

Setting off a security alarm in the store’s garden center, Hendry again was reported to have told a mechanic he encountered to ‘Stop chasing me or I’ll cut you,” Cash said.

Police were called at about 9:45 a.m. as the man ran, reportedly ditching the items and running across the highway on foot, dodging traffic, and bringing motorists to a halt as he crossed the southbound lanes north of the Shiloh Road overpass, police officials said.

Due to the witness reports that he was armed, officials called for a CHP helicopter and sheriff’s dog team to help find the man, the sergeant said.

Deputies, contracted to serve as Windsor police, found Hendry hiding in the bushes near a creek to the west of the highway, holding what appeared to be a knife, Cash said. He surrendered once surrounded by sheriff’s personnel.

Hendry was booked into the Sonoma County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail on suspicion of felony robbery and making terrorist threats as well as misdemeanor possession of a burglary tool and resisting arrest, jail records show.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.