SWAT team search in Bodega closes roads for hours

A domestic dispute that turned violent Sunday morning in Bodega forced the closure of Bodega Highway between Joy Road and Highway 1 for more than three hours, as Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies and SWAT team tried to find a man they believed was barricaded inside his apartment.

Sean Aloysious Cameron, 33, known sometimes as “Spartacus,” remained at large Sunday night, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were first called to the town about 8:30 a.m. Sunday, responding to a call about a domestic dispute at a home on Salmon Creek Road.

After arriving, deputies determined the dispute between Cameron and a woman, who had “a dating relationship,” was violent and physical, according to Lt. John Molinari with the Sheriff’s Office.

The victim told officers on scene that Cameron might be in possession of a handgun and rifle, though neither weapon was seen or used in the assault, the release said.

Cameron was believed to be in his apartment above the Bodega Country Store, but before officers could try to make contact, they were told he would not come outside, the release said.

The Sheriff’s hostage negotiation team tried to get Cameron to come outside - making multiple phone calls to the apartment - and eventually was able to get two other occupants to exit. But according to the release they were uncooperative and wouldn’t tell detectives where Cameron was. At that point the Sheriff’s Office activated its SWAT team. At 2:30 p.m. the team used several flash-bang grenades before entering Cameron’s apartment, but he wasn’t there.

Cameron could be armed, and the Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 707-565-2121.

You can reach Staff Writer Christi Warren at 707-521-5205 or christi.warren@pressdemocrat.com.