4 Arrested In Petaluma Chase, Police Say

PETALUMA, CA — Four people were arrested Monday night in a Petaluma chase that started when an officer saw a driver going the wrong way on East Washington Street, the Petaluma Police Department said.

Around 7:45 p.m. Monday, a patrol officer was stopped at the intersection of E. Washington and Lakeville streets when he saw a Toyota Corolla turn westbound from Lakeville into oncoming traffic on eastbound E. Washington, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan McGreevy said.

The officer caught up with the Corolla and turned on his lights to initiate a traffic stop but the Corolla continued westbound, eventually crossing Petaluma Boulevard North onto Washington Street.

When the Corolla made a left turn onto southbound Howard Street and still did not stop, the officer turned on his siren and initiated a pursuit, McGreevy said.

The Corolla eventually stopped at the intersection of 6th and A streets but not before blowing through a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Howard and Western Avenue, police said.

After an investigation, all four people in the car were arrested on various charges.

The driver, Wilmar De Leon, 32, of Novato, was arrested on suspicion of evading. The front passenger, Allan Perez, 19, of Novato, was arrested on suspicion of possessing/concealing a gun in a car.

Luis Diaz-Reyes, 25, of Petaluma, was in the back seat and was arrested on suspicion of possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a car.

Cesar Velasquez, 19, of Petaluma, was also in the back seat and was arrested on suspicion of alcohol as a minor.

"De Leon and Perez were booked into the Sonoma County Jail," McGreevy said. "Diaz-Reyes and Velasquez were issued citations to appear in court and released."