Driver says armed men stole his van in Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa police are investigating an apparent armed carjacking of a van Sunday morning that was found soon after abandoned and scorched by fire.

The van driver called police about 11 a.m. to say he’d pulled over on a city street and while stopped, two men approached. One opened one of the van’s doors and pointed a gun at him. They demanded money, his cellphone, wallet and keys.

The driver said he ran when they drove off in his van, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Dan Hackett said.

The victim, who isn’t from Santa Rosa, told police didn’t know the name of the street where the robbery took place. He said afterward he walked several blocks and stopped at a market on West Third Street and Dutton Avenue to use a phone to report the carjacking of his yellow 2005 Ford van. The shaken victim told officers he couldn’t describe the men.

Shortly after he called, police learned of a van on fire in the 1900 block of Ridley Avenue.

It turned out to be the same van, Hackett said.

The carjacking and fire remain under investigation by violent crime detectives.

Information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects is eligible for a reward up to $2,500, offered by the Sonoma County Alliance. Hackett asked anyone with information to contact detectives at 707-543-3590.