Two suspects in Windsor armed robbery, shooting identified

WINDSOR, Calif. (KGO) -- Napa County officials say two suspects accused of robbing an armored car and shooting a guard in Windsor Tuesday have been arrested and a shelter-in-place order in Calistoga has been lifted.

The first suspect has been identified as Antelope resident Serge Gutsu, 24. He was arrested by Calistoga Police Department after a chase where shots were fired at their officer. The car the two suspects were riding in was rammed by the Calistoga Police Department officer. Gutsu suffered some injuries and was taken to a hospital after he was arrested. Then, he was released and transported to Sonoma County.

Police identified the second suspect as Lakeport resident Ivan Morales, 23. He was found by Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Deputy while hiding in a brushy culvert in a rural area in the vicinity of the crash. He was not injured and immediately surrendered.

The guard was conscious when he was rushed to a hospital, but he has since been released. The extent of the guard's injuries is unknown.

The robbery was first reported around 1:50 p.m. in the area of the Lakewood Shopping Center at 9018 Brooks Road S. in Windsor, according to Sonoma County sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Cecile Focha.

Witnesses told responding deputies that an SUV pulled up behind an armored car parked outside of a Chase bank, two masked men got out and shot one of the guards with a long gun. The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, Focha said.

Calistoga police spotted the vehicle shortly after. "When they pulled up behind it a suspect jumped out and started firing rounds at the officer. The officer then engaged the suspect with his vehicle knocking him to the ground," Napa County Sheriff's Department Capt. Keith Behlmer said.

Then, the second suspect jumped out and began running.

The police officer was not shot. He had minor injuries from his airbag deploying following the crash.

Law enforcement told Calistoga residents to shelter in place as SWAT teams and K9 dogs went yard to yard and door to door looking for the second robber believed to be armed. Helicopters searched overhead.

Eduardo Salomon worried about his wife and two children. "Just frustrated because there's nothing I can do to get to them," he said.

Approximately four hours later, the search narrowed to a creek bed just behind Julie Lenhart's home. She says men with rifles told her to get inside. "I was really kind of surprised that he was this close," Lenhart said.

An apprehension made possible by multiple law enforcement agencies. "Everybody pulled out all the stops and came up here," Napa County Sheriif's Department Capt. Keith Behlmer said.

"This is a big deal for us I am thankful that they did catch the appropriate people and everyone feels much safer," Lenhart said.

Bay City News contributed to this story.