Transient Arrested For Brandishing Knife At Petaluma Firefighters: PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma transient was arrested when he brandished a knife earlier this week at Petaluma firefighters, police said.

The incident involving 61-year-old Sergio Antonio Perdomo Perez was reported Monday on Washington Street near Keller Street, Petaluma police Sgt. Paul Gilman said in a news release.

The Petaluma Fire Department was in the area doing a training exercise when police received a call for assistance from a fire department employee.

The firefighter said a man in a pink jacket was brandishing a knife at them while they were doing the training.

The firefighter reported the man was "making threatening gestures" with a buck knife, Gilman said.

Officers arrived in the area and saw a man matching the description walking east on Washington Street.

"After repeated attempts to get the man to talk with them, he removed a knife from his clothing and threw it into the street," Gilman said. "He was detained in handcuffs by officers and the knife was recovered."

Perdomo Perez was arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotic paraphernalia and for brandishing a weapon at emergency services personnel.

Perdomo Perez was also arrested Feb. 4 of this year on suspicion of brandishing a knife at a man and his 8-year-old daughter at McDowell Elementary School. Perdomo Perez fled when contacted by law enforcement and when officers tried to arrest him, he held up a knife and wooden stake, Gilman said.

"Officers were forced to use a TASER to subdue and safely arrest Perdomo Perez," Gilman said. "Perdomo Perez has 21 previous arrests in Petaluma dating back to 2020."