Transient Accused In Lola's Market Robbery, Thefts: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma transient suspected of stealing from Lola's Market at least three times, including once when he brandished a knife at a store employee, was arrested Sunday, Petaluma police said.

When officers responded around 1:30 p.m. Sunday to investigate a theft from the store at 241 N. McDowell Blvd., the suspect who was later identified by police as Mitchell James Deck was already detained by a store employee.

"During the theft investigation officers discovered that on three previous occasions Deck had stolen various items from the store," Petauma police Sgt. Patrick Gerke said.

"During one of the incidents, which occurred on May 31, 2020, a store employee confronted Deck about the theft, and Deck brandished a knife at the employee," Gerke said. "Fearing for their safety the employee allowed Deck to flee the store with the stolen items."

The theft incidents were all captured on the store's video surveillance system, police said.

During Sunday's incident, Deck spit on one of the officers' faces and gave several false names when asked for identification, Gerke said.

Deck was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of robbery, resisting a peace officer, petty theft, and providing false identification to a peace officer.

He was taken to the jail without further incident, Gerke noted.

Deck remained behind bars Tuesday with his bail set at $50,000, jail records showed.