Santa Rosa Police Officer Attacked By Vandalism Suspect
SANTA ROSA (BCN) -- A Santa Rosa police officer was injured early Sunday morning in an attack by a man suspected of vandalizing a home, police said.
Michael Jeffrey Hodgin, 25, was arrested in connection with an incident that began about 2:15 a.m. when officers responded to the 2000 block of Northfield Drive for a report about a suspect breaking out windows of a home after kicking in the front door, police said.
A witness reported the suspect left in a vehicle before officers responded, and shortly afterward the vehicle was spotted by officers in the area of Wind Mill Circle and Marlow Road.
Officers stopped the vehicle and as they talked to the suspect, later identified as Hodgin, they observed that he appeared to be intoxicated, police said.
Hodgin admitted to being at the home on Northfield Drive and breaking out the windows. It was later learned that he was angry after learning of a failed relationship, and was vandalizing the home and its contents, police said.
As Hodgin was getting out of his vehicle, he suddenly struck an officer. The officer fell to the ground, and Hodgin fled on foot and was chased by other officers, according to police.
Hodgin was shot with a Taser but continued to run until he was finally caught by the officers. He continued to violently confront the officers before being taken into custody.
He was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of felony battery on a police officer, felony vandalism, resisting arrest, violation of probation, driving under the influence, committing a felony while out on bail - he had recently been arrested for another DUI - and driving on a suspended license, police said.
The officer Hodgin allegedly struck suffered injuries but did not require hospitalization, according to police.
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