Crime & Safety
Theft Of Semi Fails As Truck Brakes Were Disabled: Police
A Petaluma man did not get far after allegedly swiping keys from a business and attempting to drive off in a stolen semi, officials said.
PETALUMA, CA – A Petaluma man was arrested Thursday not long after he reportedly created a disturbance at an area business and tried driving off in a stolen semi that had no brakes, according to authorities.
Officers were called shortly after 5 p.m. to the firm, on the 400 block of Payran Street, after a call regarding a subject, who was "causing a disturbance," the Petaluma Police Department said today.
The business operators said the individual, later identified as Justin Mattos, 31, came in and took keys to a company semi-truck and got into the truck, which was attached to a trailer, police said.
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"Mattos began to drive away in the stolen semi-truck, but the trailer brakes had been previously disabled," the department said.
After driving for a short distance, while dragging the attached trailer, Mattos allegedly hopped out of the truck and took off on foot as officers arrived, police said.
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Mattos was apprehended, arrested for suspicion of vehicle theft and booked at the Sonoma County Jail.
--Image via Petaluma PD
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