'Suspicious' COVID Testing Site Investigated In Petaluma: Police

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Police Department issued a community advisory Wednesday about a suspicious COVID-19 testing site that was operating in a temporary pop-up location.

Between Jan. 15 and Jan. 26, Petaluma PD received several calls regarding the testing site set up at 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma police Sgt. Patrick Gerke said.

"Officers responded to the location, and it appeared the free testing site had the proper documents to be operating as a pop-up medical testing facility," Gerke said.

However, when the Police Department’s code enforcement officer contacted the laboratory named in documents at the testing site, the lab advised it did not have a testing site operating in Petaluma.

When officers went back to the site, the pop-up was removed, Gerke said.

"In addition, the department has been contacted by people who confirmed that they received a test and their results from the site, therefore at this time it is unknown if members of the public have been victimized by their activities," Gerke said.

The site was deemed suspicious, and police were continuing their investigation.

"If a member of the public believes they were scammed by paying for a test and not receiving the results in the time frame described by the testing site, please contact Officer Wolford at the Petaluma Police department at (707) 778-4372," Gerke said.

The Petaluma Police Department said people who need a COVID test should contact their health care provider or go to Sonoma County's COVID testing webpage to find an approved testing site.