Street Racing 'Fun' For Man ... Before Arrest: Cops

PETALUMA, CA – A 19-year-old male was arrested Sunday for alleged street racing and weapons possession after a patrol officer saw a Honda approach a van that was stopped at an intersection, and then saw both vehicles accelerate, traveling side-by-side at high speeds in Petaluma, according to police.

The officer was in the area of St. Francis Drive and Caulfield Lane at 6:40 p.m. when a light-colored van was stopped at a stop sign and a tan Honda Civic drove up, did not stop at the intersection, and both vehicles took off at speeds more than 50 mph, driving east on Caulfield, the Petaluma Police Department said today.

"The vehicle continued accelerating as they traveled side-by-side before the Honda abruptly changed lanes cutting in front of the van," the department said, adding, "Both vehicles continued to pull away as the officer attempted to catch up to them."

The van and Civic slowed, turning from Caulfield onto South McDowell Boulevard, and as the van kept going, the officer pulled over the Honda and arrested the driver, identified as Alexis Tovar-Alvarez of Petaluma, police said.

Tovar-Alvarez, allegedly gave a false name to cops, according to the department. After his true identity was verified, a records check showed a prior citation for driving without a license, police said. Asked why he was street-racing, Tovar-Alvarez reportedly told cops it "was fun."

He was arrested on suspicion of providing false identification, illegal speed contest and driving without a license, in addition to a weapons charge after metal knuckles purportedly were found in his pants' pocket, police said.

Another man, determined to be the van driver, showed up stating he was friends with Tovar-Alvarez, and he was identified, reprimanded and released from the scene, according to officials.

Tovar-Alvarez was booked at the Sonoma County Jail.

Petaluma police reminded residents the department takes "illegal speed contests and street racing seriously. A vehicle is a deadly weapon if used recklessly."

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--Image via Petaluma PD