Novato Man Arrested In Attempted Sonoma Co. Auto Theft: Sheriff's Office

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Sonoma County sheriff's deputies arrested two men who were allegedly trying to steal a pickup truck in unincorporated Sonoma County north of Santa Rosa early Monday morning. Sheriff's deputies received a call from a man around 4:50 a.m. about two men trying to break into his pickup truck in the 3000 block of Regional Parkway off Airport Boulevard, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies found Brandon MacPherson, 22, of Novato, trying to steal the truck by dismantling the ignition, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies and police officers also found Leah Basch, 20, of Oakland, in the driver's seat of another truck with its engine running.

MacPherson was found with filed-down vehicle keys used to steal vehicles and Basch was in possession of a methamphetamine pipe and a pocket knife, sheriff's officials said.

Handtools, including a screwdriver and pliers, also were found in the trucks, and the truck Basch was in had stolen license plates and was stolen in Petaluma, sheriff's officials said. The owner later retrieved his
stolen truck.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, attempted vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy. They were booked in the Sonoma County Jail.

By Bay City News Service; Photo via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office