Fugitive Wanted in Gang-Related Crimes in Northern California Captured

SAN FRANCISCO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Berkeley Police Department announced the arrest of Samuel Fessemaye Tewolde, 30, of Santa Rosa, California, today.

Tewolde was arrested by Berkeley Police Department on Sunday without incident.

According to a federal indictment, Tewolde was wanted for attempted murder in the aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, as well as using firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence arising from his participation in the Varrio South Park (VSP) gang.

Tewolde made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California yesterday.

The investigation into the alleged activities of Tewolde is the result of a joint effort by the FBI, the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Rosa Police Department, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.