Police arrest Petaluma burglary suspect

A Petaluma man was arrested Thursday following a string of break-ins over the past week of occupied and unoccupied homes on the west side of town, police said.

Michael Fowler, 24, is charged with entering a Coady Court home Tuesday morning while the occupants slept and stealing a bicycle and iPad.

Detectives are continuing to investigate a burglary the next day on Western Avenue in which a resident saw a man fitting Fowler’s description entering through a second-floor window. The resident stopped the man and searched him, but the suspect got away, police said.

Other break-ins happened Saturday on Westridge Place and Ridgeway Drive.

In one, someone stole jewelry and family photos and went through an underwear drawer. In another case, a thief rummaged through clothing and laundry. Both occurred despite dogs being home at the time, police said.

Officers were looking for Fowler when he was spotted Thursday by a parking enforcement officer walking near downtown. He had the stolen iPad in his possession, police said.

He was booked on possession of drug paraphernalia and probation violation in addition to two counts of burglary.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.