Crime & Safety
Petaluma Transient Arrested In Alleged Library Battery Incident
BREAKING: Police say the 29-year-old ran from the library but was found hiding in a nearby backyard.
PETALUMA, CA — A transient was arrested on suspicion of battery Sunday afternoon in Petaluma, police said. Joshua Mertz, 29, was arrested after someone called police at 11:55 a.m. to report that he allegedly threw some items at them at the Petaluma Library at 100 Fairgrounds Drive.
Police said the victim was unhurt and Mertz allegedly fled the area.
Someone called police a short time later to report a possible prowler near Martin Circle, which is close to the library.
Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mertz was allegedly found hiding in some bushes in the backyard of a neighborhood home.
Police said the victim identified Mertz as the suspect and Mertz was taken to Sonoma County jail.
Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Mertz is well known to the Petaluma Police Department as a local transient with increasing criminal behavior," Petaluma police officials said in a news release.
Wednesday, jail records showed Mertz had since been released from custody.
Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
Jail booking photo via Petaluma Police Department
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
