Petaluma police investigate series of car break-ins

Police report a series of smash-and-grab thefts appear to have targeted easily visible valuables left in vehicles.|
MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Petaluma police issued a warning Saturday about a series of smash-and-grab auto burglaries around town between 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Surveillance video from one burglary site, the 101 Casino, suggests two males associated with a black Volkswagen Jetta were involved, police said.

In all of the incidents, suspects broke through windows of parked cars to get to items left in plain sight, authorities said.

Police sought to remind residents to guard against becoming easy targets by ensuring valuables aren’t visible.

The two thefts Friday night occurred on Petaluma Boulevard North downtown and at the Lakeville Park and ride lot off Highway 101, police said.

Six others on Saturday occurred mostly on the northeast side of town, including one near Kohl’s, two at 101 Casino, and three in the area of Maria Drive, near Petaluma Valley Hospital, they said.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.

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