Woman Leads Cops On Freeway Chase, Unloads Blower Of Glitter: PD

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A woman is accused of leading Santa Rosa police officers on a pursuit while towing a stolen travel trailer, then spraying a blower full of glitter all over officers and freeway traffic when the pursuit came to an end.

The incident involving a 42-year-old homeless woman identified by police as Aura Palma started around 11 a.m. Wednesday when the manager of a rental company called Santa Rosa police to report spotting a vehicle trailer that had been stolen from his lot.

The manager told police the trailer was being towed by a pickup truck at the intersection of Piner Road and Airway Drive, SRPD Sgt. David Linscomb said.

"He recognized the open bed utility trailer as having been stolen from their lot and began following it," Linscomb said. "The driver meandered through Santa Rosa streets until police caught up with it."

Officers followed Palma as she entered southbound U.S. Highway 101 from Steele Lane.

Palma refused to yield to officers' attempts to stop her so a pursuit was initiated, Linscomb said.

Palma reportedly continued driving southbound on U.S. 101 at speeds up to 80 mph while dropping cargo and debris from the trailer and pickup bed.

She eventually stopped north of Todd Road when a cargo dolly fell out of the bed of the pickup and became lodged under the trailer, Linscomb said.

That is when Palma is said to have gotten out of the pickup truck armed with a cordless blower motor.

"She started the blower, which had been packed with glitter, causing a cloud of glitter to shower down on officers and southbound traffic," Linscomb said. "Officers were able to take the driver into custody without further incident."

The incident blocked traffic on the 101 for a short time before the pickup and trailer were moved to the shoulder.

Palma was arrested on suspicion of charges related to the stolen trailer and the pursuit, the sergeant said.

Sonoma County jail records show Palma remained in custody Wednesday night and is scheduled to make a court appearance Friday afternoon.