Car Stolen From San Pablo Recovered In North Bay: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A car reported stolen out of the East Bay was recovered this week by Petaluma police.

It happened Thursday around 11:30 a.m. when an officer was patrolling the parking lot of a local hotel in the 1300 block of North McDowell Boulevard and saw a suspicious car.

A record check revealed the car was reported stolen by its owner in San Pablo, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

"Once the officers confirmed the vehicle was not occupied, they conducted surveillance in the area," Suhrke said.

About 30 minutes later, officers saw Santa Rosa residents Victor Mendoza, 37, and Maribel Flores, 24, get into the car. They appeared to be in the process of leaving, so officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and detained the pair without incident, the sergeant said.

"Ultimately it was determined that Mendoza was in possession of the stolen vehicle and was placed under arrest," Suhrke said. "It was discovered that Flores had a warrant from a previous arrest involving vehicle theft and was also placed under arrest."

The car was later released to its owner.

Meanwhile, Mendoza was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.