Fairfax Man Arrested In Petaluma Robbery

FAIRFAX, CA – A Fairfax man was arrested Christmas Eve after allegedly robbing a Petaluma market.

The robbery occurred shortly before 11 a.m. at the Petaluma Grocery Outlet at 80 Washington St. When a clerk confronted the suspected shoplifter, the suspect claimed he had a knife, said Petaluma police Sgt. Lance Novello.

"The suspect was confrontational, reached into his pocket, and claimed he had a knife, which caused the employee immediate fear," Novello said. "The suspect left the merchandise behind and fled on foot."

Police detained the suspect nearby and identified him as Michael Short, 28, of Fairfax. He was unarmed.

Short was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of robbery. He is on probation in Marin County for "similar crimes," Novello said.

Photo via Petaluma Police Department