A suspect known to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department was arrested after he fled a traffic stop, crashed into two police cars and drove into the Petaluma River at around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The man was not identified by police, who arrested him on charges of domestic violence and threat of weapons.
A deputy deemed a traffic stop necessary for the suspect, where they conducted a routine traffic stop with lights and sirens. “I don’t know how that initial ID was planned out,” Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Dillion said.
The driver did not yield to the sheriff’s request, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit began in Santa Rosa and went south towards Petaluma. The suspect hit patrol cars during the pursuit, ultimately ending at a dead end behind the Sheraton Hotel in Petaluma near Lakeville Highway.
The suspect then drove the vehicle into the Petaluma River behind the 745 Baywood Drive property.
The suspect remained in their submerged vehicle briefly before exiting. The suspect ran along the riverbank and stole a kayak from the nearby dock, launching it into the river.
While the suspect was in the river, deputies witnessed him “produce something that resembled a weapon,” according to Dillion.
The kayak took on water a short while later, and the suspect was left treading water in the river.
“He’s not compliant, he’s not following commands. He has been completely resistant since the get-go,” Dillion said while waiting for the suspect’s apprehension from the river.
Sonoma County resident John Gunning said, “My wife and I came here to launch kayaks, and when we drove in, we noticed every Police and Sheriff’s car here. We couldn’t launch our kayaks and wanted to see what was going on.”
Officials wanted to keep this apprehension as peaceful as possible, as the suspect’s actions showed he was willing to put the public at risk, Dillion explained. Due to the vast presence of protection with the Sheriff’s Department, Petaluma Police, Petaluma Fire and CHP on the scene, officials were comfortable to “settle things down and let time play out,” according to Dillion.
Around 2:30 p.m., Henry 1, a sheriff’s Helicopter, got close enough to create a disturbance in the water and provide cover for police on the ground and water, who then swiftly apprehended the suspect.
The incident was not related to Tuesday’s election.
