Santa Rosa, California – Two suspected gang members were apprehended in Santa Rosa after allegedly assaulting a student walking to school last week, as confirmed by local authorities on Thursday. The incident, which occurred on March 14, prompted swift action from law enforcement following reports of the assault.

Assault on Student

Upon receiving the report, Santa Rosa officers swiftly investigated the incident. They discovered that the victim, a 13-year-old boy, was ambushed while en route to school in the morning. Multiple individuals, identified as gang members wearing blue attire, reportedly emerged from a vehicle and proceeded to physically assault the victim by punching and kicking him.

The attack culminated in the victim being knocked down into a puddle before the assailants fled the scene. As a result of the assault, the juvenile student sustained injuries, underscoring the severity of the incident.

Identification and Arrests

Subsequent police investigation led to the identification of the suspects involved in the assault. Detectives executed search warrants at residences located in the 500 block of Madrone Way in Windsor and in the 10 block of Pierson Street in Santa Rosa. The individuals identified as the perpetrators were 19-year-old Joshua Bazan Ortiz of Santa Rosa and 25-year-old Victor Garcia-Roman of Windsor.

According to law enforcement, Ortiz was deemed the primary aggressor, having inflicted multiple punches and even kicking the victim while he was incapacitated on the ground. Both suspects were taken into custody on suspicion of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, participating in a criminal street gang, and promoting or assisting a criminal street gang.

Additional Allegations

In addition to the assault charges, Ortiz faces an accusation of graffiti vandalism. Investigators obtained footage allegedly showing Ortiz engaging in spray painting activities with gang-related graffiti on multiple fences at Roseland Elementary School the week prior to the assault.

Legal Proceedings

Following their apprehension, both suspects were booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility to await legal proceedings. The swift action taken by law enforcement underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, particularly vulnerable members of the community such as students.

Swift Justice Served

The arrest of the suspected assailants provides a sense of relief to the community and serves as a reminder of the dedication of law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the public. The collaborative efforts between authorities and the community remain essential in addressing criminal activities and upholding the principles of safety and justice.

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