A taekwondo instructor has been accused of multiple sexual assaults involving children in Petaluma and Santa Rosa over at least two years, police said.
Luis Menjivar Chicas, 48, was taken into custody Saturday on a warrant issued at the request of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office following investigations by Santa Rosa and Petaluma police, authorities said.
Petaluma police said Santa Rosa police began investigating a report of a sexual assault of a juvenile in 2024 but couldn’t assemble enough evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
At least two additional victims reported sexual assaults over multiple years, Petaluma police said, citing Santa Rosa police.
Petaluma police said they began investigating in January after receiving a report of a sexual assault involving a 13-year-old.
In April, two other juveniles reported sexual assaults while Chicas was renting a room in their family residence, Petaluma police said.
Chicas was accused of lewd acts with children, assault with intent to commit a felony upon a juvenile, continual sexual abuse of a child under age 14, lewd acts with a child by force or fear, and lewd acts with a child under 14, police said.
He was arrested during a traffic stop and booked into the Sonoma County jail. Bail was set at $250,000, police said.
Petaluma police asked anyone with direct knowledge of incidents to contact Detective Carlos Ramirez at 707-234-4540 or at [email protected].
Information directly related to the Santa Rosa Police Department’s investigation can be directed to 707-543-3595.