Transient Burglarizes Petaluma Schools Maintenance Yard: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A transient was arrested early Sunday when he was allegedly caught breaking into the maintenance yard of Petaluma City Schools while wearing latex gloves and carrying a pair of pliers, a gas hose and a face mask, Petaluma police said.

Officers responded to the yard at about 2:10 a.m. Sunday after receiving an alarm activation, said Petaluma police Sgt. Nick McGowan.

"While officers were responding, the representative reported seeing movement on a security camera after the alarm activation," McGowan said.

Officers surrounded the fenced maintenance yard and after an announcement was made that a police K9 was present, Minh Luong, a 35-year-old transient, surrendered, according to the sergeant.

"During the investigation, officers located evidence that Luong pried open a portion of a fence to make entry into the maintenance yard," McGowan said. "Luong was wearing latex gloves and was in possession of pliers, a gas hose and a face mask."

Luong was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of burglary tools. He was booked into Sonoma County Jail.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone