2 Arrested In Dick's Sporting Goods Thefts: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — Two Fairfield men were arrested Sunday on suspicion of stealing from Dick's Sporting Goods in Petaluma, police said.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, the Petaluma Police Department received a report about a theft that had just taken place at the sporting goods store at 401 Kenilworth Drive, police said in a news release.

Officers were told that a man entered the store and took clothing items, bicycle accessories and a black duffel bag, then left the store and walked southbound through the shopping center.

When officers got to the store, they were told the same man was back in the store but without the merchandise and with a second person. Officers detained one of the suspects as he exited the store and he was identified as Anthony Thomas.

"Thomas denied being in the store with anyone else," Petaluma police Lt. Garrett Glaviano said in a news release. "Shortly thereafter, store employee identified the other involved suspect. The second suspect was detained and identified as Johnte McDowell."

The investigation revealed that around 7 p.m. Saturday, Thomas and McDowell, were in the store and stole $365.94 worth of merchandise but were not contacted during that theft, the lieutenant said.

The investigation further revealed that on Sunday, Thomas and McDowell were at the shopping center in a stolen car that contained stolen Dick’s merchandise valued at $348.96, Glaviano said.

Thomas was transported and booked at the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools, car theft, possession of a counterfeit item, and probation violation.

McDowell was booked at the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a counterfeit item.

Thomas remained in custody Tuesday but McDowell has since been released from jail, records showed.

According to police, it was the third known time in under a month that the Petaluma Dick’s Sporting Goods store was targeted by thieves. On Sept. 15 and Sept. 18, thieves stole merchandise but fled from the area prior to officers' arrival, police said.