Latest news with #PetalumaPoliceDepartment
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area man threatened execution of school official over Pride flags, police say
A Petaluma man has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to execute a school district official if Pride flags weren't removed from city campuses, police said. Josh Garzoli, 54, was arrested shortly after noon Thursday after leaving a voicemail and email demanding removal of the LGBTQ flags, as well as a visit to the Petaluma City Schools administration office, police said. Garzoli first left an email with the district official on May 30 threatening 'harsh consequences' if the flags weren't removed from city campuses, according to the Petaluma Police Department. He also visited the district's office last Monday demanding removal of the flags, but left without further incident, police said. Officers responded at 9:18 a.m. Thursday after Garzoli sent an email saying he would have the district official, who has not been identified, 'executed' if the flags were not removed by the end of the school day, police said. The threat was time sensitive and caused safety concerns for school officials, police said. Detectives located and arrested Garzoli without incident and booked him on suspicion of making criminal threats, a felony, police said. The agency was granted a bail enhancement of $750,000, police said. Petaluma City Schools, which have flown the Pride flags on campuses from late May through the end of June since 2022 after a unanimous resolution by the board, issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to diversity, according to the Press Democrat. District officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. 'The Petaluma Police Department takes all criminal threats seriously,' police said in a statement. 'We are working closely with Petaluma City Schools to ensure additional security measures are in place and that district personnel feel supported and protected. The safety of our school staff, students, and broader community is our highest priority.'
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen leads Sonoma sheriff's deputies on 16-mile pursuit in alleged stolen truck
The Brief The teen suspect led deputies on a chase where speeds reached 100 mph, sheriff's officials say. The incident triggered a multi-agency response. A deputy rushing to assist with the pursuit crashed with another vehicle at an intersection. SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. - A 15-year-old led Sonoma County sheriff's deputies on a 16-mile chase in an alleged stolen vehicle, which resulted in a collision involving a deputy's vehicle, officials say. What we know The incident happened Thursday night when officials say a sheriff's deputy spotted a stolen black Chevrolet Silverado headed north on Highway 101 near Baker Avenue. Sheriff's officials say the deputy followed the vehicle as it exited from an off-ramp. When the deputy tried to make a traffic stop at an intersection, the driver apparently fled on southbound Highway 101. A high-speed chase ensued. Sheriff's officials said speeds during the pursuit reached 100 mph. The incident triggered a multi-agency response. Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and Petaluma Police Department helped the sheriff's office during the pursuit. According to the sheriff's office, the pursuit ended safely, but no further details about how the teen was taken into custody were shared. Sheriff's officials said the 15-year-old driver was already on probation for a prior stolen vehicle case. The suspect was booked into juvenile hall on charges of felony evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, and probation violation. The sheriff's office said a deputy responding to assist with the pursuit had its lights and sirens on as it was about to clear an intersection at Highway 116 and Story Point Road. The deputy and another vehicle crashed. Both the deputy and the driver were taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said the California Highway Patrol is investigating this crash. "Vehicle pursuits are inherently dangerous. We continually evaluate the public's safety in light of our duty to apprehend suspects," the Sonoma Sheriff's Office said in a statement posted to social media on Friday.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police seek prowler found hiding under bed in Petaluma home
(KRON) — Authorities in the Petaluma are investigating a break-in prowling incident after a man was found under the bed inside a resident's home. The suspect remains on the run. The Petaluma Police Department responded on March 30 at 8:11 p.m. to the 700 block of Cindy Lane after a resident reported that a stranger was found hiding inside their home. The resident told police that after they came home, they discovered an unknown man under the bed. The intruder fled from the residence on foot. Arriving police officers were unable to locate the prowler in the area. Authorities canvassed the area for evidence and investigative leads on the night of the break-in and the following day, Petaluma PD said. The suspect is described by police as a Hispanic man in his 20s who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. He had dark hair and was wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident. Police said home invasions and prowlers are not common in Petaluma, but being prepared can 'make all the difference.' 'Consider securing your home with strong locks, motion-sensor lights, and a home security system,' Petaluma PD said. 'Always be mindful of your surroundings, and don't hesitate to report any suspicious activity to authorities.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man, 2 juveniles arrested after North Bay Nike thefts
(KRON) — Authorities in the North Bay recovered approximately $3,000 worth of stolen Nike merchandise following a pursuit of shoplifting suspects on Saturday, according to the Petaluma Police Department. Police responded just after 4 p.m. to the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets on the report of a man fleeing from the Nike store holding armfuls of merchandise valued at more than $950. The alleged shoplifter hopped into a waiting silver Ford F-150 truck and took off, employees told the police department. 1 severely burned in Santa Rosa carport fire An officer spotted a silver Ford F-150 traveling southbound on Highway 101 and recognized the license plate to match a prior theft from Nike a week earlier, Petaluma PD said. As the truck continued into Novato, assisting agencies responded, including the California Highway Patrol, Novato Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Henry-1 helicopter. The Ford did not stop when the officer activated their lights and sirens, police said. The pursuit lasted approximately 3 miles before the Ford pulled over near the Bel Marin Keys area of Novato. The Nike theft suspect, identified by police as Jose Garcia Cruz, 18, of Richmond, was detained along with two juveniles who were also inside the truck. All three were transported to the Petaluma Police Department. Officers located evidence of the Saturday theft from Nike inside the vehicle, according to police. After further investigation, authorities said more evidence of theft from Nike stores in Napa and Vacaville was uncovered. In total, around $3,000 in Nike merchandise was recovered. Garcia Cruz was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for organized retail theft with intent, shoplifting, conspiracy to commit a crime and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The two juveniles were arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Detention Facility for organized retail theft with intent, shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a crime. The juvenile driver was also charged with vehicle evading. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
