K9 Rocco apprehends fleeing attempted murder suspect

On October 7, 2025, at approximately 5:25 p.m., officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) responded to a report of a stabbing at an apartment complex on Third Street. Upon arrival, officers found the 26-year-old male victim suffering from at least one stab wound to his torso. The victim was promptly transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect had fled the area prior to officers arriving on scene. 

Witnesses identified the suspect. Officers responding to the area were advised the suspect had fled the scene following the stabbing and that he had an outstanding felony warrant unrelated to this incident.

As officers were arriving, they located the suspect in the downtown area fleeing on foot. He fled through different city streets until Officer Vercelli and K9 Rocco located him on B Street near Fifth Street. The suspect immediately ran upon contact and K9 Rocco was deployed. K9 Rocco apprehended the suspect as he tried to hide in the bed of a parked pickup truck.

The suspect was later booked into the Sonoma County Jail for attempted murder and his outstanding felony warrant. This is an example of our K9’s being used to enhance officer’s safety and keeping the public safe from violent and armed individuals