Prowler Arrested Trying To Enter Petaluma Home: Police

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Police Department is investigating a prowling incident and is seeking other residents who may have been a victim of theft or trespassing.

The incident began shortly before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday when a resident in the 500 block of Jade Street — near Petaluma Boulevard South and U.S. Highway 101 — called 911 to report a man was trying to enter their home, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

The suspected prowler, later identified as 41-year-old Perry Backman of South Carolina, had apparently jumped into their back yard and was trying to open the back door, Suhrke said.

"The resident confronted Backman and told him to leave, or he would call the police, but he said that he didn’t care and continued to try to access the occupied residence," Suhrke said.

When Backman was not able to open the door, he gave up and fled over a nearby fence that led him back into the neighborhood.

The resident gave a detailed description of Backman to police, and a responding K9 officer found and detained Backman when it was confirmed he matched the description.

"The resident assisted with the investigation and identified Backman as the person who repeatedly tried to enter his home," Suhrke said. "At his request, Backman was placed under arrest for prowling."

Backman was booked into Sonoma County jail but was no longer in custody Wednesday morning, Sonoma County jail records showed.

"It is still unknown where else Backman may have been during this incident, and we are asking nearby residents to contact the Petaluma Police Department if they believe they were the victim of any type of theft or trespassing," Suhrke said in a news release Tuesday night. "Please contact the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372."