Suspected Burglar Caught In Act: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A suspected burglar was caught in the act Friday morning after he triggered an alarm at a Petaluma hardware store, according to police. Petaluma police officers responded at about 5:45 a.m. to the alarm at M. Maselli & Sons on Lakeville Street, police Cpl. Brandon Hansen said in a news release.

Officers set up a perimeter and were checking the inside of the business when they heard a loud noise coming from a garage in the recycling yard and saw the suspected burglar, later identified as 50-year-old Jeffrey Lamont Turner of Petaluma, running from the building, Hansen said.

Turner was detained by the officers while the scene was investigated.

Officers believe Turner, whom the store owner confirmed he did not know, accessed the property by climbing a fence.

"Once on the property Turner searched through the tool box of a work truck and took a tow strap," Hansen said. "Turner then entered a garage used for storing equipment. Turner admitted to entering the garage in search of items to steal."

After a records check further revealed Turner was on probation for vehicle theft, he was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of burglary and violating his probation.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo courtesy Petaluma Police Department