SRPD officer sustains significant injury attempting to detain a violent subject with a felony warrant.

On Thursday, January 2, 2025, at approximately 10:30 am, an officer assigned to the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Downtown Enforcement Team (DET) sustained a significant injury while attempting to detain a man with a felony arrest warrant. The officer was patrolling the area of 6th Street and Wilson Street when he saw the suspect, Victor Harker Lozada, a 50-year-old transient from Santa Rosa. The officer was familiar with Lozada and confirmed Lozada had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for a pre-trial release violation. Lozada was on pre-trial release for a pending robbery charge. The officer contacted Lozada, who immediately became aggressive with the officer. Lozada began walking away, refusing to follow instructions, stopping only to face the officer to take fighting stances and clenching his fists.

The officer requested additional officers respond while he continued to try to de-escalate the situation verbally with Lozada. Lozada continued to refuse, challenging the officer verbally as the officer walked closer to him. As two other SRPD DET officers arrived onscene, the primary officer produced his “Taser” Electronic Control Weapon (ECW) and Lozada was told he needed to comply with instructions or possibly be “tased.” When Lozada again refused, the officer discharged the ECW, striking Lozada. The ECW, a device designed to temporarily incapacitate a potentially violent subject so they may be safely taken into custody, had little effect on Lozada. The officer discharged the ECW a second time, again with little effect. 

Lozada began backpedaling away, forcing the officer to tackle him, causing Lozada to lose his balance. During the tackle, the officer sustained a dislocated shoulder. The other two officers immediately attempted to detain Lozada in handcuffs, but Lozada continued to struggle and refused to give the officers one of his hands, which was concealed near the waistband of his pants. The officers continued to verbally de-escalate the situation as they attempted to remove Lozada’s hand from his waist area. Lozada eventually complied and allowed the officers to handcuff him. Due to Lozada’s large stature, two pairs of handcuffs were required to detain him. After being handcuffed, Lozada made several threats toward the injured officer. No weapons were located on Lozada’s person.

Lozada sustained minor abrasions during the takedown, but was transported to an area hospital for clearance as a precautionary measure due to the use of the ECW. Lozada was medically cleared and later booked into Sonoma County Jail for his outstanding felony robbery warrant and felony threats and resisting a peace officer. 

The injured officer was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and later released for a dislocated shoulder. 

The SRPD Downtown Enforcement Team is a specialized team of eight uniformed officers and one sergeant entrusted with the pivotal task of addressing complaints related to homelessness and quality of life issues within our City. The team has made a significant and meaningful impact on our community by collaborating with numerous organizations and City administration to address homelessness through outreach and enforcement efforts. 

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-54.

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.