Two men charged in connection with a Santa Rosa home invasion in which a resident was restrained

Two Santa Rosa men were charged Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court in connection with a home invasion that left a resident detained.

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office has filed a complaint against the two men on charges including false imprisonment of an elderly person by use of force or deception, theft, burglary and identity theft, court records show.

One of the men, armed with a handgun, is accused of forcing his way into a home in the 1700 block of Dorado Court, northwest of the Coddingtown Shopping Center, where he restrained the resident and stole from the property, police said from Santa Rosa.

The man took the person’s wallet and some clothing, Sgt. Brandon Matthies told The Press Democrat. The police have now recovered most of the stolen items.

Matthies said it was a targeted attack, although the man and resident had no previous relationship. Investigators are still investigating the motive.

According to the police, there is no existing threat to the population.

Matthies said home burglaries do happen in Santa Rosa, but they are usually targeted and involve money or drugs. They are “absolutely not random,” he added.

The man fled before the resident could escape and call authorities. Police went to the scene and searched the area, but could not find the suspect.

The Santa Rosa Police Investigation Team has identified the alleged thief, Jason Buck, 48, and his driver, Vallen Burkhauser, 29. Both are residents of Santa Rosa.

The two later used the resident’s bank and credit cards at various locations in Sonoma County, Matthies said.

Police tracked Burkhauser to a scene on Santa Rosa Avenue Tuesday morning and arrested him on suspicion of theft, two counts of commercial burglary, identity theft and violating probation.

Burkhauser was charged in court Wednesday with false imprisonment of an elder by use of force or deception, theft, burglary and identity theft, according to court records. They are all misdemeanor counts.

Burkhauser has been convicted of multiple crimes, including petty theft, in Sonoma County since 2018.

Buck was arrested Monday evening following a traffic stop near Lotus Court and Barham Avenue. He is charged with theft, kidnapping during a robbery, false imprisonment, elder abuse, commercial burglary, identity theft and violating post-release community supervision.

Buck was charged with the same charges as Burkhauser, but with more enhancements.

Buck has a criminal record in Sonoma County dating back to 1995. He has convictions for charges including drug possession for sale, kidnapping, carjacking and hit-and-run causing injury or death.

Buck and Burkhauser were booked into the Sonoma County Jail in Santa Rosa, where they are being held on bail of $1.15 million and $201,000, respectively.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

Santa Rosa investigators are still investigating the case and are asking any witnesses or anyone with video footage of the event to contact police via the online tip line at srcity.org/CrimeTips, or call the Violent Crimes Investigation Team at 707-543- 3590.

You can reach staff writer Madison Smalstig at [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.