Two arrested after robbery near Prince Memorial Greenway in Santa Rosa

Two suspected gang members from Santa Rosa were arrested Thursday on suspicion of trying to rob a man as he walked on a trail near the Prince Memorial Greenway.

Jacquese Coleman, 19, and a 17-year-old accomplice, who was not identified because he is a minor, were arrested by Santa Rosa police on suspicion of robbery with a gang enhancement, according to Sgt. John Cregan.

The attempted robbery occurred just after 4 p.m., when the 39-year-old victim reported that two men had knocked him to the ground as he exited the trail near the fish fountain on the corner of Santa Rosa and Sonoma avenues, Cregan said.

The victim said the two men confronted him, kicked the back of his leg and knocked him to the ground, and one of them said, “Give me money!” They threatened to hurt the victim, and one of the suspects reached into the man’s pocket and took out his cellphone.

The suspects then ordered the victim to remove his shoes, shouting threats in an attempt to intimidate him, Cregan said.

During the scuffle, the suspects reportedly left the victim’s cellphone on the ground, and he was able to grab it, telling them he was calling 911. The suspects fled on foot.

The suspects were arrested a short time later by two Santa Rosa police officers who were patrolling the downtown area on bicycles.

Cregan said both suspects were known to the Gang Crimes Team for previous incidents.

You can reach Staff Writer Elizabeth M. Cosin at 521-5276 or elizabeth.cosin@pressdemocrat.com.