Car Thief Caught As 15-Mile Chase Ends In Petaluma: SoCo Sheriff

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Sonoma County law enforcement worked together to catch one of three suspects in the theft of two cars early Wednesday from a south Santa Rosa business. The incident, which involved a 15-mile car chase, began with an alarm call at 1:06 a.m. Wednesday from a business in the 3900 block of Santa Rosa Avenue, sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia said.

"The business owner was watching live surveillance footage as three men broke into the business to get car keys," Valencia said. "Two of them stole a Jeep and a Mercedes Benz. The third suspect was seen getting back into the car they drove to the business. "

Alejandro McDonald, 18 years old, Oakland, was arrested by deputies after a 15-mile pursuit in a stolen car.

A deputy who was block away from the business saw the Jeep and the Mercedes at the intersection of Santa Rosa Avenue and Todd Road. The suspects also saw the deputy, and drove over the Todd Road overpass and then southbound onto U.S. Highway 101, Valencia said.

The driver of the Mercedes Benz took the Golf Course Drive off-ramp — and as of Thursday had not been located.

The driver of the Jeep— later identified as Alejandro McDonald, 18, of Oakland — kept going on Highway 101 at speeds reaching 120 mph, Valencia sad.

The Petaluma Police Department was alerted and assisted by setting up spike strips — devices that when laid across a roadway cause tires to deflate, stopping a car — near the East Washington off-ramp.

McDonald ran over the spike strip and took the Lakeville Highway off-ramp from 101, then drove south on Lakeville Highway.

A sheriff's deputy was waiting, and did a Pursuit Intervention Technique — PIT — maneuver which brought the Jeep to a complete stop.

"McDonald got out of the Jeep in the 3900 block of Lakeville Highway and ran into a field," Valencia said.

McDonald surrendered when a deputy made several announcements he had a police dog and would use it if needed, Valencia said.

The 18-year-old was booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, conspiracy, evading peace officers, burglary, resisting arrest, reckless driving, and an arrest warrant from Sacramento County for robbery and violation of probation. McDonald was released from custody by posting a bail of $100,000.

"We want to take this time to acknowledge the alert business owner and thank Petaluma Police for their assistance," Valencia said. "Unfortunately, COVID-19 does not stop crime from happening. We want to assure our community that we are out patrolling your neighborhoods and keeping you safe from crime."