On November 19, 2017, 32-year-old Mendocino County woman, Nicole Smith, was murdered. As she laid in her bed at a Manchester Reservation home, an unidentified person fired a shotgun through the walls leaving one injured and Smith dead.
The following day, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old Roman Soto for his suspected involvement in the crime. Soto assaulted a fellow inmate in the Mendocino County jail, but, still, within days was released due to lack of sufficient evidence to tie him to the crime.
Today, approximately four years later, Soto is back behind bars in Sonoma County for his alleged involvement in a Cloverdale convenience store armed robbery.
A press release from the Cloverdale Police Department explained the December 6, 2021 armed robbery occurred at Quick Stop and a subsequent investigation identified Soto as the suspect at that point living in Santa Rosa.
On Wednesday, December 8, the white Acura Infinity G37 sedan associated with Soto was located near the 3000 block of Common Way in Santa Rosa. This vehicle matched the vehicle seen on surveillance camera “leaving the Quick Stop moments after the robbery.”
Cloverdale Police officers and Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies maintained constant surveillance on the vehicle and, around 5:11 p.m., Soto was seen approaching the vehicle and law enforcement converged detaining Soto.
A search of Soto’s apartment “located several items of evidence connecting” him to the Cloverdale Robbery, according to the Cloverdale Police Department press release. Based on the evidence located during the search, Soto was arrested for, “armed robbery, possession of a firearm with no serial number, and felon in possession of a Firearm.”
As per a list of Soto’s prior convictions obtained by MendoFever, Soto’s criminal record is extensive and predates the murder of Nicole Smith, that case in which he was identified as a person-of-interest.
- 6/19/2015- Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Receiving or Concealing Stolen Property, Evasion, Violation of Probation
- 9/1/7017- Possession of Controlled Substance, DUI Alcohol/Drugs with BAC > .08
- 11/10/2017- Driving with Suspended License for Drunk Driving, Speeding Greater than 65 MPH
- 11/12/2017- Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, Violation of Felony Parole
- 11/19/2017- Street Terrorism, Battery, Violation of Felony Parole
- 12/9/2020- Revocation of Probation, Drive w/ License Suspended for Drunk Driving, DUI Alcohol/Drugs with >.08
When we spoke with MCSO Captain Greg Van Patten last year about the investigation in Smith’s murder, he was unable to comment in detail characterizing it as “an active homicide investigation. My comment will be limited so that I do not jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.”
Smith’s family is offering a $20,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of all responsible suspects in Nicole’s murder.
If you know anything about Nicole’s murder, please contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4611.
Previous Coverage
- Armed Suspect in Cloverdale Convenience Store Robbery Reportedly Flees North on Highway 101
- The Drive-By Shooting Death of Mendocino County Coastal Resident Nicole Smith Remains Unsolved Three-Years Later
Its ROMAN SOTO NOT RAMON
Thank you Deidra. The mistake has been corrected.
Legal, just like the white lil boy who shot up a school.
LEGAL SEAN, LEGAL. Quit asking. You’re the illegal one here.. on stolen land. Dont forget that
Can I buy anything that’s on that table
Pretty sure the tiny black shoes and the right glove with extra long middle finger will be available at the citrus fair in Cloverdale this February if you can wait, Mr. F U M!
Also I believe www. Roman.com sells a plethora of goods for your entertainment if you like take a look Mr. FUM. Let me know what you think ?
The white Acura Infiniti??
I’ll check on the infinity but I’m pretty sure detective fat pants ? of CPD may have dibs for his newly licensed offspring , sorry Ray I tried.
A slap on the wrist sure as hell doesn’t work while parenting and it sure as hell isn’t working with the criminals in California.
ThankGood-ness someone out there understands the value of a good parent to child ass whooping’, nothing like the sting of a 2×4 to beat your babies into submission, bet you ain’t gonna do that no more you little shi(&&(, I told u not to eat daddies candy ? and stay outta’ yo momma’s underwear drawer you little deviant. I tried slapping you on the wrist but you just keep going for the candy drawer. ???
When you do something wrong, and you get a slap on the wrist, it means that the punishment that you were given was rather mild or light.
2×4 Preferably fir ? as it is denser more damage the child will be Forever grateful to you for teaching them a lesson
Thank you Tea Baggins. Your wisdom will never be forgotten.
Your getting it ,Me Baggins in da house, assume the position and be prepared to be enlightened with a good old fashioned cup o’ smooth move, to cleanse your inner self, would you like both baggs in your favorite cup or just one ??