12 Car Break-Ins Reported Near U.S. 101 In Petaluma: Police

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Police Department is investigating a rash of car break-ins Thursday afternoon and evening in retail parking lots along U.S. Highway 101. Twelve burglaries were reported between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Petaluma police Lt. Tim Lyons said in a news release.

The first break-ins were reported in parking lots near In-N-Out and the Gateway Shopping Center along Lakeville Street just west of the 101.

A short time later, more burglaries were reported just east of the 101 in parking lots near Cattlemen's Steakhouse on Petaluma Boulevard North, the old Orchard Supply Hardware on North McDowell Boulevard and the Petaluma Golf Center on Stony Point Road.

"Several other automobile burglaries were subsequently reported to Cotati PD, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and Santa Rosa PD," Lyons said. "Most of the burglaries occurred near US 101."

In almost all the incidents, the burglars smashed car windows and took laptops, purses and backpacks from inside the cars, according to police.

Anyone who saw any suspicious cars or possible suspects in the area of the burglaries Thursday afternoon/evening is encouraged to contact the Petaluma Police Department.

"Motorists are reminded to leave valuables in their trunk or hidden from view while the vehicle is unoccupied," Lyons said. "Window-smash burglaries can be committed in under a minute and as in the above incidents, the suspects can quickly flee onto the freeway."