Petaluma police investigate men's possible connection to string of vehicle break-ins

Petaluma police are investigating whether two men arrested over the weekend might be connected to a string of auto burglaries in Petaluma and Rohnert Park, Sgt. Ken Savano said Tuesday.

At least 13 Ford trucks and vans, all work vehicles, were stolen or broken into recently, police said last week. Nine of those thefts occurred in Petaluma.

But no thefts have been reported since two Novato men were arrested early Saturday in Petaluma on suspicion of prowling, Savano said.

Ryan Carrigan, 36, was arrested near an apartment complex on Cherry Street after a resident called to report a suspicious person, police said at the time. Tory Morganti, 42, was connected by a witness report to Carrigan and found nearby, police said.

Police say they searched Morganti, who was on parole for burglary, and found rubber gloves, a shaved Ford ignition key, duffel bags filled with tools, a dealer's paper license plate, two knives, marijuana and hash.

"We're still looking at the possibility" that Carrigan and Morganti are connected to the string of thefts, Savano said. "But right now, we don't have anything solid to say whether they are or not."

Carrigan posted bail on Saturday and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. Morganti is being held with no bail and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.