Graton man suspected of ramming Petaluma motorcycle officer

A convicted felon carrying several packets of cocaine tried for 3 miles to lose a pursuing Petaluma motorcycle officer Tuesday night by speeding, running red lights, smashing into other cars and even ramming into the officer and his motorcycle, a Petaluma police official said Wednesday.

Veteran officer Paul Accornero finally stopped the man at gunpoint at a west Santa Rosa shopping center and put him in handcuffs, Petaluma Traffic Sgt. Ron Klein said.

Accornero had radioed for help during the 5:45 p.m. pursuit, but Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies and Santa Rosa police officers were still on their way as the Petaluma officer was arresting Olympus Pereira, 22, of Graton.

The suspect had run from his car after leaving it in a Stony Point Road traffic lane during the evening commute, police said. He was stopped in the nearby CVS shopping center, and a woman who had been riding with Pereira apparently drove away in the white Cadillac.

Police officials are asking for help in finding the car and the woman. Klein urged anyone who sees the dented 2003 CTS, four-door sedan with license plate 7BMG979 to call 911.

Sgt. Klein said that when arrested, Pereira was carrying 13 packets of cocaine, totaling 1.3 grams. He also had a fully loaded .45-caliber magazine for a Ruger pistol, police said. Officers have not recovered a weapon.

The Cadillac had caught Accornero’s eye on Highway 101 in southern Santa Rosa as the officer was commuting home at the end of his workday. The car began weaving in the fast lane, then abruptly moved across two lanes, causing other drivers to brake to avoid crashing, Klein said.

Accornero told police officials he couldn’t ignore the flagrant traffic violation. He threw on his patrol bike’s emergency lights and pulled up behind the car.

But the driver left Highway 101 and turned east onto Highway 12 for a short stint, leading to a vehicle chase, which moved into residential streets near the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Along South E Street and Maple Avenue, the Cadillac driver sped up to about 40 to 50 mph, ran red lights and drove onto the wrong side of the road, forcing drivers at times to swerve to avoid him, Klein said.

Back on Highway 12, headed west, the suspect sped up to about 80 mph briefly before taking the Stony Point Road exit. The Cadillac driver came upon heavy traffic and slowed, and the driver’s door flew open as though the driver were going to run, police said.

But the vehicle continued to travel between lanes, getting the Cadillac lodged up against other vehicles. Accornero, who was about 20 feet behind, yelled at him to stop, Klein said.

The driver then put the Cadillac into reverse and at about 15 mph backed into the officer’s motorcycle, shoving the officer and the bike several feet, police said. Accornero was able to stay upright, Klein said.

The suspect then moved forward, causing further damage to cars in his path as he maneuvered through them before turning right onto Stony Point Road, according to Klein. Pereira hit one more vehicle, stopped the Cadillac and ran across Stony Point Road into the shopping center, leaving the woman in the car.

The officer pursued him across the large lot, caught up and held him at gunpoint, ending the chase, police said.

The passenger apparently drove off during the arrest, police said.

Pereira was arrested on suspicion of nine felony charges and remained in the Sonoma County Jail without bail Wednesday. Suspected crimes included assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, evading an officer, possessing cocaine for sale, being a felon with ammunition and violating his parole. Pereira has a conviction for assault with a gun, Klein said.

Vehicles hit by the suspect had minor or moderate damage and no one but the officer was injured, Klein said. The officer suffered a bruised right knee and didn’t need medical aid.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @rossmannreport.