Man arrested after CHP chase, spike strips dropped in Petaluma

A chase involving an East Bay man who attempted to flee police briefly shut down Highway 101 in Petaluma early Saturday.

The man, identified as Omar Mendoza Pagalunan, 37, of San Lorenzo, was swerving in and out of traffic lanes and speeding at 75 mph through Marin County when officers began their pursuit, officials said. The CHP stopped him driving northbound on Highway 101 near Corona Road in Petaluma at 12:30 a.m. using a spike strip, deflating the tires in the new-model Nissan Pathfinder that Pagalunan was driving.

CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said it appeared that Pagalunan was under the influence of drugs. He was arrested on charges including attempting to evade a police officer and driving under the influence. Pagalunan’s wife, who was in the passenger seat, also was briefly detained but was released at the scene. She was not charged.

Pagalunan was booked into the Marin County Jail.

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.