Suspicious Man Armed With Gun Sought In Petaluma: Police

PETALUMA, CA — Residents of an east Petaluma neighborhood are asked to review their surveillance footage in the Petaluma Police Department's efforts to identify a man seen walking Tuesday armed with a handgun and at one point, reportedly pulling the slide back on what appeared to be a semiautomatic pistol, according to police.

Officers were dispatched at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday to the report of a suspicious person with a gun and while en route, were advised the man was seen walking toward Lakeville Circle at Frates Road, police officials said in a news release.

Witnesses told officers the man "had a semiautomatic pistol and pulled the slide back on the firearm prior to walking southeast toward Frates Road," police said.

A perimeter was set up near Vineyard Luxury Apartments and the neighborhood was thoroughly and extensively searched but the person with a gun was not found, police said.

Police are still seeking to identify the person who was described as a bald Hispanic man with a husky build who appeared to be around 35 years old and was wearing khaki brown overalls with no shirt and a black puffy-style vest.

"After reviewing prior calls for service, the same subject was reported around Lakeville Circle throughout the day acting suspiciously; however, responding officers were unable to locate him," police officials said. "It is unknown if the subject is visiting a resident in the area or transient."

The Petaluma Police Department is actively investigating the matter, officials said.

"If anyone observed anyone suspicious in the area before or after this incident or has surveillance video, please call the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372."