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2 men charged in connection with Santa Rosa home invasion robbery, resident arrested

2 men charged in connection with Santa Rosa home invasion robbery, resident arrested

Both were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of charges including identity theft, commercial robbery and kidnapping during the robbery.

Two Santa Rosa men were charged Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court in connection with a home invasion in which a resident was held up.

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office filed a complaint against the two men, alleging charges including false imprisonment of an elderly person by force or deception, robbery, burglary and identity theft, according to court records.

One of the men, armed with a gun, is accused of forcing his way into a home in the 1700 block of Dorado Court, northwest of Coddingtown Shopping Center, where he detained the resident and stole property, according to Coddingtown police. Santa Rosa.

The man took the person’s wallet and some clothes, Sgt. Brandon Matthies told The Press Democrat. Since then, police have recovered most of the stolen items.

Matthies said it was a targeted attack, although the man and the resident had no previous relationship. Investigators are still looking into the motive.

There is no threat to the public, police said.

Matthies said home invasions do happen in Santa Rosa, but they are usually targeted, involving money or drugs. They are “definitely not random,” he added.

The man fled before the resident could escape and call authorities. Officers responded and searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

The Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crime Squad has identified the alleged thief as Jason Buck, 48, and his driver, Vallen Burkhauser, 29. Both are residents of Santa Rosa.

The two later used the resident’s bank and credit cards at various locations in Sonoma County, Matthies said.

Police tracked Burkhauser to a location on Santa Rosa Avenue Tuesday morning and arrested him on suspicion of robbery, two counts of commercial burglary, identity theft and a probation violation.

Burkhauser was charged in court Wednesday with false imprisonment of an elderly person by force or deception, robbery, burglary and identity theft, according to court records. All are crimes.

Burkhauser was convicted of multiple misdemeanor charges, including petty theft, in Sonoma County in 2018.

Buck was arrested Monday night following a traffic stop near Lotus Court and Barham Avenue. He is suspected of robbery, kidnapping during robbery, false imprisonment, elder abuse, commercial burglary, identity theft and violation of community supervision after release.

Buck was indicted on the same charges as Burkhauser, but with several enhancements.

Buck has a criminal record in Sonoma County dating back to 1995. He has been convicted of charges including possession of drugs for sale, kidnapping, auto theft and hit and run resulting in injury or death.

Buck and Burkhauser were booked into the Sonoma County Jail in Santa Rosa, where they are being held on $1.15 million and $201,000 bonds, respectively.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

Santa Rosa investigators are still investigating the case and ask that witnesses or people with video footage of the event contact police online at srcity.org/CrimeTips or call the Violent Crime Squad at 707-543-3590.

You can contact Staff Editor Madison Smalstig at [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.