Petaluma PD: Gang Member, Drug Dealer Arrested In Brief Standoff

PETALUMA, CA — An alleged gang member on probation and out on bail for a previous drug-related arrest was taken into custody Thursday when Petaluma police served a "high-risk narcotics-related search warrant" at a residence in the 1100 block of Ramona Lane — near Caulfield Lane and S. McDowell Boulevard — police said in a news release.

Jesus Arango-Lopez, 27, was initially arrested Aug. 1 following a traffic stop in the area of Caulfield Lane and Payran Street, according to police.

"The officer recognized Arango-Lopez from numerous prior contacts and knew that he was on active probation, was a documented criminal street gang member, and that he did not have a valid license to drive a vehicle," police said in a news release.

Based on the officer's observations, police said, Arang0-Lopez was arrested on suspicion of driving without a license and violation of probation. While conducting a body search, the officer allegedly found a baggie of suspected methamphetamine and multiple small baggies containing suspected cocaine packaged for sales in Arango-Lopez’s clothing.

He was booked into jail Aug. 1 on suspicion of several drug charges, including possession of a narcotic substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, Petaluma PD's Crisis Response Team (CRT) went to serve a "high-risk" warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of Ramona Lane, where police believed Arango-Lopez was living while out of custody on the pending criminal case.

Authorities believed there may be armed subjects inside the home, and upon the arrival of CRT numerous attempts were made to contact the residents via a PA system and by telephone, police said.

CRT made contact with a female resident and then with Arango-Lopez, at which time a brief standoff ensued.

According to police, CRT negotiators spoke with Arango-Lopez for 16 minutes, requesting that he and the others inside the home come outside.

Arango-Lopez initially refused to comply with the orders and hung up the phone, police allege.

He and the female resident eventually did exit the home and were detained without incident, police said.

Police then moved in to search the residence, where numerous items of evidence allegedly indicating that Arango-Lopez was involved in the ongoing sales of controlled substances and narcotics with other known criminal street gang members were found.

"Some of these items were found to have been concealed within the residence leading investigating officers to believe that Arango-Lopez may have concealed and/or destroyed additional evidence or narcotics," police said.

Due to Arango-Lopez’s alleged failure to comply promptly to officers' orders to exit his residence in accordance with the search warrant, he was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of delaying/obstructing/resisting a peace officer, police said.

Jail records were not available Friday for Arango-Lopez.

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch