Carjacking suspect drags maintenance worker, rams police car: SRPD

(KRON) — A maintenance worker at Kaiser Medical offices in Santa Rosa is recovering after he was allegedly dragged several yards by a carjacking suspect Friday afternoon as he held onto the driver’s door of his pickup truck.

Santa Rosa Police Department said its officers arrived in the 3900 block of Old Redwood Highway at 1:30 p.m. to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle and possible assault.

The victim told police that his white truck was parked near the entrance of the Kaiser facility when the suspect — later identified though surveillance video as Matthew Webb, 41, of Cloverdale — hopped into his truck and started the engine.

“To stop the suspect from fleeing, the victim approached the driver’s side and attempted to remove the keys from the ignition,” said SRPD in a statement to KRON4. “The suspect verbally threatened the victim, claiming he had a firearm, and then accelerated out of the parking lot while the victim was still holding onto the driver side of the door. The victim was dragged approximately 25 yards before falling to the ground.”

The victim was treated for moderate injuries at a local hospital. His current condition was not disclosed by Santa Rosa PD.

Webb and the stolen truck were soon located by multiple law enforcement agencies — including Healdsburg police and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office deputies and their helicopter — before leading authorities on a chase, said investigators.

“Webb had parked the stolen vehicle on a property and entered a different vehicle,” said police. “When deputies and officers attempted to make contact, Webb fled the scene, initiating a vehicle pursuit through downtown Healdsburg. During the pursuit, Webb intentionally rammed a Healdsburg Police officer’s patrol vehicle.”

Webb was finally taken into custody after he abandoned the vehicle and tried to run away from authorities, said police. He faces several charges, including carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, felony evasion, and assault causing bodily injury.

Despite the arrest, this remains an active case.