Marin Duo Caught With Burglary Tools, Drugs In Petaluma: Police

PETALUMA, CA — Two Marin County residents were arrested early Tuesday in Petaluma on suspicion of attempted grand theft and multiple other charges when an alert resident reported someone was trying to steal construction equipment from the bed of a work truck, police said.

The alert resident called the Petaluma Police Department at 3:42 a.m. Tuesday about the suspicious activity in the area of 409 Wilson St. — near Lakeville Street in East Petaluma — police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

"The resident observed the subject use a large bolt cutter to attempt to cut a metal chain that secured the construction equipment," Suhrke said.

When the prowler realized he was being watched, he got into a nearby car and took off, the sergeant said.

The suspect, identified by police as 27-year-old Marin County resident Jesus Peralta, was pulled over a few blocks away.

Officers found a pair of bolt cutters and a reciprocating saw — tools typically used to burglarize vehicle’s and remove catalytic converters — in the passenger side of the car next to drug paraphernalia and loose marijuana, Suhrke said.

"Peralta confessed to attempting to steal the equipment, but was unsuccessful," Suhrke said.

The passenger in the car, identified by police as 23-year-old Cynthia Roman of Marin County, initially gave a false name to officers, the sergeant said.

Roman was placed under arrest when her real identity was discovered and officers learned she had a warrant out of Marin County for suspected drug-related crimes.

Petaluma police said Roman was also arrested on suspicion of possession of suspected methamphetamine and associated paraphernalia, while Peralta was arrested on suspicion of attempted grand theft and possession of burglary tools.

Both Peralta and Roman were booked at the Sonoma County Jail. According to jail records, they have since been released from custody.