Santa Rosa arrest:

Sheriff ’s deputies cut hole in floor of home to nab fugitive

A standoff Wednesday with a man hiding under a Santa Rosa house forced sheriff’s deputies to cut a hole in the home’s floor to pry him out, authorities said.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant for Steven Molina, 47, of Petaluma, at 5:30 a.m to a home on the 1200 block of Grand Avenue in Santa Rosa. Authorities reportedly heard a commotion after knocking on the door, but residents said that Molina was not in the house.

Meanwhile, another deputy had gone to the rear of the home and heard a commotion, including “movement under the house,” the sheriff ’s report said. Molina, who had a $30,000 arrest warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, apparently tried to hide in a crawl space under the home but was seen through an exterior vent.

When he moved away, the deputy reportedly saw 30year-old Jessica Ybarra, of Santa Rosa, who was wanted on a $50,000 warrant for vehicle theft and drug charges.

Ybarra came out from under the house when ordered, according to the Sheriff ’s Office, but Molina refused to comply. He allegedly threatened to kill deputies, a K-9 dog brought to the scene and himself. Occupants of the home told deputies he was armed with a knife when he fled under the house.

“Based on his threats and his ability to carry them out, the Sheriff ’s SWAT Team and hostage negotiators responded to the home and attempted to get him to come out,” Sgt. Spencer Crum said in a statement. “When Molina refused to come out, a hole was cut in the floor above Molina.”

Molina allegedly tried to fight deputies but was quickly taken into custody. Both suspects were booked into the Main Adult Detention Facility in Santa Rosa.

Ybarra is due in court Thursday, while Molina’s arraignment is scheduled for Friday.