Petaluma Police Arrest 4 Parolees In 24-Hour Period

PETALUMA, CA — Three parolees at large were taken into custody by the Petaluma Police Department during a 24-hour period Monday and Tuesday.

All three were wanted by their parole agents on suspicion of violating their parole, while a fourth parolee was arrested in connection with an assault at a local park, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

On Monday, a Petaluma officer saw someone she knew was a wanted parolee at large, 33-year-old Petaluma resident Jeffery Berg. When she approached Berg, he ran into a field in Cedar Grove. Police were able to find Berg by setting up a perimeter in the area.

On Tuesday, a Petaluma K-9 officer got information that another wanted parolee at large, 43-year-old Forestville resident James Risenhoover, was at an address in Petaluma where a separate parolee lived. Several officers went to the residence but Risenhoover refused to surrender, Suhrke said.

Because of Risenhoover’s violent history, K-9 Jax was used to help search the property.

"Jax was able to obtain his scent and led officers to a trailer where Risenhoover was ultimately found to be hiding in," Suhrke said. "He still refused to obey commands and surrender to the officers."

However, Risenhoover quickly surrendered when Jax was sent inside the trailer. Jax was called back outside and Risenhoover was taken into custody without injury, Suhrke said.

Also on Tuesday, a Petaluma officer saw parolee-at-large Mark Bednarz, 51, of Petaluma, walking on Hopper Street. When the officer approached Bednarz, he surrendered without incident and was booked into Sonoma County jail.

A fourth parolee was arrested in connection with an assault Tuesday at Steamer Landing Park. The victim's injuries were severe enough that he needed to be treated at a hospital, Suhrke said.

The suspect in the assault was identified as Tony Paquette, a 37-year-old known parolee who lives in Petaluma, Suhrke said.

Paquette was tracked down later Tuesday by another Petaluma officer and booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of felonious assault and violation of parole, Suhrke said.