Sonoma County 'Avoid the 13 DUI/DL' Court Sting: One Arrest on Wednesday

News from the Petaluma Police Department:

The AVOID the 13 Sonoma County DUI Task Force conducted an undercover court sting at the Sonoma County Hall of Justice Wednesday between 8:30am and 12 noon, netting one arrest.

Officers from Petaluma Police Department, Santa Rosa Police Department, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Cotati Police Department and the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety participated in the operation.

Officers in plain clothes monitored defendants appearing in court for DUI offenses, as well as suspended and unlicensed violations. When defendants left the court, the undercover officers maintained surveillance of them as they walked outside to their vehicle. If the suspended or unlicensed driver got behind the wheel of a vehicle and drove away they were apprehended by motor officers waiting nearby.

[Previous: 2 Weeks of DUI Crackdown Lead Up To Labor Day.]

It was later learned defense attorneys were advising their clients of the undercover officers in the courtroom and to not drive away from the courthouse.

The operation resulted in one driver being arrested and cited. The following driver was stopped during the operation.

Michael Broder, 56, from Santa Rosa, driving on a suspended license.

Border’s vehicle was stopped and impounded for 30 days.

This operation was conducted as part of 2014 Summer Mobilization Period that began Aug. 15, and continues through Monday, Sept. 1.

The purpose of the operation is to apprehend dangerous drivers and reduce alcohol related fatal and injury collisions through increased enforcement and public awareness. Funding for the Avoid Campaign is made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.