Pilot Safely Rescued After Plane Crash in Petaluma
On May 13, 2026, at approximately 6:40 p.m., deputies, the Petaluma Fire Department, Henry 1, and the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit were dispatched to a plane crash in the Petaluma River near Shurp Slough.
The pilot was practicing water landings in his small aircraft when the plane flipped over upon landing. He was able to exit the aircraft without injury, stood on the floats, and called 911. No other passengers were on board.
The Petaluma Fire Department rescued the pilot and transported him to safety.
The FAA and the NTSB were notified of the incident.
Prepared by: Sergeant Juan Valencia, Public Information Officer
Case No: 260514-013
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s office proudly welcomed five new deputies and one civilian team member during yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony.
We are excited to have these dedicated individuals join our team. Please join us in welcoming them to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Detectives arrested a Richmond man connected to ongoing AT&T telecommunications wire thefts throughout Sonoma County.
On May 9, 2026, detectives observed 28-year-old Jose Torres Diaz loading pre-cut telecommunications wire into his vehicle near Bennett Valley Road. When deputies attempted a traffic stop near Highway 101 and College Avenue, Diaz fled, reaching speeds near 100 MPH and driving recklessly across multiple lanes of traffic before abandoning his vehicle and running into a commercial area of Santa Rosa.
Deputies and detectives quickly established a perimeter and safely took Diaz into custody after a brief confrontation.
Diaz was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on multiple felony charges related to copper wire theft, vandalism, damaging utility lines, felony evading, and resisting arrest. Detectives also obtained a bail enhancement, setting bail at $125,000.
This investigation remains ongoing. See our Facebook post for the full story.
Prepared by Deputy N. Miller
TRUTH Act Forum
Tonight, the Board of Supervisors will be hosting a public forum on the TRUTH Act. The TRUTH Act requires an annual public meeting to discuss law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The Sheriff’s Office does not participate in immigration enforcement. Our policy is narrow and more restrictive than the California Values Act and most Sheriff’s Offices in California. It focuses on individuals convicted of serious or violent felonies as defined by California law.
In 2025:
• 69 individuals’ information shared with ICE
• 20 ICE arrests in our facility
• Those 69 individuals were booked over 600 times in Sonoma County alone
We recognize that immigration policy is deeply personal for many members of our community, and we remain committed to open dialogue and clear communication about our role and responsibilities. The Sheriff’s Office’s number one priority has been, and will always be, public safety.
Learn more about our immigration policies here: /immigration
Injured Hiker Safely Rescued from Taylor Mountain Regional Park
On Sunday, May 10, at approximately 4:01 p.m., Henry-1 was requested to help locate an injured hiker at Taylor Mountain Regional Park. Regional Parks rangers and Regional Parks deputies heard the call come out over the radio and responded to help. The Henry-1 crew successfully located the hiker along the Todd Creek Trail and relayed the location to responding personnel on the ground.
Crews from Medic Ambulance arrived and provided patient care until a Regional Parks Unit deputy and a Regional Parks ranger were able to drive a vehicle up the trail and park close enough to safely load the patient. The hiker was then transported down the trail to a waiting ambulance in the parking lot.
This response highlights the strong partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, Henry-1, Medic Ambulance, and Sonoma County Regional Parks staff. Working together allowed crews to quickly locate, treat, and safely transport the injured hiker from a difficult-to-access area.
And that’s a wrap on National Correctional Officer and Employee Week 2026! 🙌
Thank you to everyone who followed along with us this week as we highlighted the people and teamwork behind our detention division.
We’re also grateful to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for presenting our Office with a Gold Resolution, officially recognizing and designating May 3–9, 2026 as National Correctional Officer and Employee Week in Sonoma County.
A special shoutout to our Detention Captains for once again hosting an amazing back dock BBQ for staff this week! 🍔🥤
Thank you to all of our sworn and non-sworn Correctional staff for the work you do every day to support the safety, security, and operation of our facilities and community.
#SonomaSheriff #NationalCorrectionalOfficersAndEmployeesWeek
Service behind the walls demands strength, professionalism, and unwavering discipline.
During National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, we proudly recognize the correctional professionals who show up every day with integrity, purpose, and commitment to public safety.
#SonomaSheriff #NationalCorrectionalOfficersAndEmployeesWeek
Retail Theft Suspects Arrested After Pursuit in Santa Rosa
On May 4, 2026, at about 3:02 p.m., a deputy on patrol received a report that a number of tools had just been stolen from Home Depot in Windsor. The suspect vehicle was described as a white Ford F-150.
The deputy located the truck as it exited Highway 12 onto Dutton Avenue in Santa Rosa and attempted a traffic stop. The driver did not stop and drove away. The deputy began a pursuit. The suspect drove westbound on Highway 12, then swerved off the road into a creek bed between Highway 12 and Occidental Road.
The deputy ordered the driver, later identified as Kalial Abbushi, out of the truck. He complied. Additional deputies and officers from the Santa Rosa Police Department arrived shortly after. There were four people in the truck, including Abbushi. The truck and its occupants are also suspected of other retail thefts throughout the Bay Area.
Three of the four occupants were arrested and booked on the following charges:
Kalial Abbushi, 45, of San Leandro, was arrested for felony organized retail theft for and for felony evading a peace officer for failing to stop and leading deputies on a pursuit. Abbushi was on Post Release Community Supervision and had an outstanding felony warrant for evading a police officer out of another Bay Area county. He is being held without bail.
Aubrey Brambley, 20, transient, was arrested for felony organized retail theft for her suspected role in the coordinated theft, misdemeanor petty theft for the theft of merchandise, and misdemeanor receiving known stolen property for possessing items believed to be stolen. She was released with a citation to appear.
Jason Lopez-Willis, 27, of Santa Rosa, was arrested for misdemeanor violation of a domestic violence restraining order and misdemeanor contempt of court for failing to comply with court-ordered conditions. His bail was set at $45,000, and he remains in custody.
The fourth occupant was released at the scene.
Quick reporting by the store helped deputies respond quickly and led to these arrests. We would like to thank Santa Rosa Police for their assistance.
Case #: SD260504016
Sonoma Man Arrested for Narcotics Sales
On May 2, 2026, at approximately 8:08 p.m., detectives with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 100 block of Vista Drive in Sonoma, following a months-long narcotics investigation.
Detectives knocked and announced their presence at the front door. When an individual inside the residence shut and locked the door, denying entry, detectives forced entry. Multiple individuals were detained during the investigation.
During the search, detectives located over one pound of suspected cocaine, U.S. currency, narcotics packaging materials, a firearm, and ammunition in the master bedroom.
Detectives arrested 44-year-old Cristian Castaneda for the sale of narcotics and booked him into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. After being processed, he was released on a citation in accordance with current zero-bail policies.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to fighting illegal drug activity through ongoing enforcement efforts, aiming to protect the community and uphold public safety.
Prepared by: Sergeant Juan Valencia, Public Information Officer
Case No: 260502-016
National Correctional Officer and Employee Week is here! 🎉
Join us May 3–9 as we recognize the professionals who work behind the scenes to keep our facilities safe, secure, and operating every day. Within our correctional facilities, this includes both sworn staff—Deputies, Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains, and Assistant Sheriff—and non-sworn staff such as Detention Specialists, Detention Assistants, Detention Cooks, Detention Analysts, and Detention Janitorial staff. Each plays a vital role in supporting the safety and function of our operations.
National Correctional Officer and Employee Week was established in 1984 to bring awareness to the important and often unseen work of correctional professionals. This week serves as an opportunity for the public to learn more about the people and responsibilities within our correctional system.
Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing stories, photos, and a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening inside our facilities.
Have a question or something you’d like to see? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to connect. 🙏
