Police suspect burglary ring as Petaluma commercial break-ins continue

Burglars broke into two Petaluma businesses and a church, adding to a rash of commercial burglaries in the city.

Officers were called to an alarm sounding at the Pick n Go Market on East Washington Street at about 3 a.m. Sunday.

They found a burglar or burglars had broken a window, entered the store and removed a cash register, Petaluma Lt. Tim Lyons said.

There still was money inside the register, but police didn't disclose how much.

Sometime during the night, burglars struck at St. John's Episcopal Church on Fifth Street and Hospice of Petaluma on Payran Street.

Someone used a piece of wood to break the front door glass and get inside the Hospice office. Nothing appeared to have been taken, Lyons said.

At the church, someone broke a business office window and entered, but apparently took nothing.

There have been 41 commercial burglaries in town since August, Lyons said.

Similarities include timing -- most occur in the middle of the night -- and method, by breaking through a glass door or window and taking cash or a cash register.

Police have suspected a burglary ring is working in town. Lyons asked anyone with information to contact Officer Arthur Farinha at 778-4372.