Petaluma Transient Violently Beats Store Clerk In Robbery: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma transient is accused of beating a Petaluma 7-Eleven clerk and then robbing the store early Tuesday, police said. Officers first responded to the convenience store at 430 Washington St. just after 6 a.m., where they found the clerk had suffered "significant head injuries and had no recollection of what occurred," Petaluma police said in a news release.

Officers reviewed the store’s surveillance footage and determined that the clerk had been punched in the head by a male suspect whom they immediately recognized as 37-year-old transient Dale Ostrand, police officials said.

The punch, which appeared to be unprovoked, immediately rendered the clerk unconscious, according to police.

Video showed Ostrand then taking merchandise and leaving the store without paying, police said.

Eventually, another store employee came to work and found the clerk on the floor.

Police say Ostrand, who has extensive law enforcement contacts, was located nearby after a search of the area.

He was reportedly taken into custody without incident and booked into Sonoma County jail.

Records showed Ostrand was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending a court appearance Thursday.

Booking photo via Sonoma County Sheriff's jail website