Suspected Car Thief Caught In Minutes: Petaluma Police

PETALUMA, CA — A red Ford Mustang was stolen from the parking lot of a Petaluma grocery store Sunday but was recovered within under an hour, police said.

The Petaluma Police Department got a call at 8:51 a.m. Sunday about the theft in the 300 block of South McDowell Boulevard in the Washington Square Shopping Center, police Sgt. Ryan DeBaeke said.

The car's owner said it was stolen while he was in the store shopping.

"Officers responded and began searching for the vehicle in the surrounding areas," DeBaeke said. "Approximately 45 minutes after receiving the call, Officer Pabros was patrolling the parking lot of the Sheraton hotel and located the vehicle occupied by an adult male later identified as Michael Langley."

More officers showed up to provide backup and Langley was taken into custody without further incident.

Langley was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle. He also violated his court-ordered probation, DeBaeke said.

As the Mustang was returned to its owner, Langley was booked into Sonoma County jail.