Police Chase, TJ Maxx Toilet Hideout, 3 North Bay Counties: A Busy Night For PD And K9

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police arrested four people suspected in two separate retail thefts on one evening that involved suspects fleeing from officers, a TJ Maxx bathroom, and narcotics.

Petaluma police responded at about 5:53 p.m. on Feb. 19 to a report of two Upper Lake residents suspected of taking merchandise without paying at a Target store. According to police, one suspect fled on foot from officers, but was stopped after a brief chase. He was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting, resisting arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A second suspect was later found hiding inside a restroom at TJ Maxx and taken into custody on suspicion of theft, petty theft with prior convictions, and possession of illegal drugs with prior convictions. After her arrest, store employees alerted officers to a small package she was suspected of discarding, which police believe contained fentanyl. A police K9 dog then found property in their car that officers suspected was taken from a Target store in Novato.

Later that evening, at about 9:50 p.m., Target employees reported another theft involving a 33-year-old suspect from Santa Rosa, and a second 37-year-old man from Ukiah, wanted on two outstanding warrants.

All four suspects were taken to the Sonoma County jail. Police said the arrests are part of ongoing efforts to address retail theft and related crimes in Petaluma.