Petaluma man arrested after wild car, foot chase

A Petaluma man was arrested Friday night after leading Petaluma police on a lengthy car and foot chase, Sgt. Rick Cox said in a news release.

The chase began around 9:15 p.m., when Cpl. Robert Barnes noticed a Chevrolet pickup run a stop sign and cross double yellow lines at B and 10th streets in Petaluma, Cox said. When he tried to stop the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Donald Reimers, 46, fled west on D Street, Cox said.

That prompted a vehicle pursuit that stretched about 14 miles and reached speeds of about 100 mph. Eventually, Reimers’ truck ran out of gas on San Antonio Road, Cox said. At that point, Reimers got out and fled on foot up into the hills, where he hid, Cox said.

Officer Corie Joerger, responding to the scene with her police dog, Basko, found Reimers hiding in tall weeds, Cox said. He surrendered himself when warned the dog would be used if he did not, Cox said.

Reimers was arrested on suspicion of evading an officer - a felony, obstructing an officer and reckless driving. He was booked into county jail with bail set at $30,000.

Staff Writer Jamie Hansen blogs about education at extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com. You can reach her at 521-5205 or jamie.hansen@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jamiehansen.