Santa Rosa Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure, ID Theft, and Drug Possession

Resident reported suspect masturbating in building's carport and contaminating vehicle door handles.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A 54-year-old Santa Rosa man was arrested on Saturday after a resident reported him masturbating in a building's carport and attempting to enter the home. Police found the suspect, Salvador Arroyo Avina, carrying IDs belonging to over 10 people and a small amount of drugs. Avina was on release in four prior criminal cases, including one for lewd acts in public, and had two previous drug possession convictions.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and repeat offenders in the Bay Area. The suspect's alleged actions, including indecent exposure, identity theft, and drug possession, raise questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in addressing such behavior and protecting residents.

The details

According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, a resident on the 900 block of Sonoma Avenue reported seeing a man masturbating in the building's carport and contaminating vehicle door handles with bodily fluids around 3 p.m. on Saturday. The suspect briefly left the area when the resident spoke to him through a security camera but then returned and tried to manipulate the door leading to the home. Responding officers located the suspect, Salvador Arroyo Avina, a short distance away and discovered he was carrying IDs belonging to more than 10 people, as well as a small amount of drugs. They also learned that Avina was on release in four criminal cases, one of which was for lewd acts in public, and had at least two previous convictions for drug possession.

  • The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Avina was arrested by the Santa Rosa Police Department on the same day, February 15, 2026.

The players

Salvador Arroyo Avina

A 54-year-old Santa Rosa resident who was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure, identity theft, drug possession with two or more priors, and violation of pretrial release conditions.

Santa Rosa Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the report of indecent exposure and arrested Avina.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to address public safety concerns and hold repeat offenders accountable in our community.”

— Chief of Police (Santa Rosa Police Department)

What’s next

A Sonoma County Superior Court judge has increased Avina's bail to $400,000 due to the seriousness of the incident and his continued offenses. The Santa Rosa Police Department is also continuing to review the security footage and is asking anyone with additional video evidence or information to contact them.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing public safety and repeat offenders in the Bay Area, particularly when it comes to crimes involving indecent exposure, identity theft, and drug possession. It underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to criminal justice reform that balances accountability, rehabilitation, and community protection.