Petaluma robbers flee stolen truck, avoid capture

A search for four men Tuesday night who had run from a Petaluma police officer during a traffic stop evolved into a bigger event when officers learned the men were likely suspects in a nearby home-invasion robbery involving a demand for heroin, Petaluma police said Wednesday.

The suspects, believed to total five men, remained at large Wednesday, Petaluma Detective Sgt. Ed Crosby said.

In running from the patrol officer, who was unaware of the robbery, they left behind a stolen white Ford pickup. In the truck bed were numerous household items, including a TV, allegedly taken in the robbery at a nearby Rancho Way home, Crosby said.

As officers began an extensive search in an eastside neighborhood after the 8:50 p.m. traffic stop at Caulfield and Park lanes, a 911 call about 10 minutes later alerted them to the robbery.

Rancho Way residents told officers that five men, wearing masks or partially covering their faces, came in through their front door at about 8:30 p.m. They demanded heroin and used duct tape to bind the hands of the two women and two men at the home.

Crosby said one man resisted and was cut in the shoulder by a robber carrying a small knife. The wound later was treated.

The residence, which borders La Tercera Elementary School, has a history of drug activity, Crosby said. Officers conducted a drug raid there on Sept. 14 last year and arrested two people, including one of Tuesday night’s victims. During that search, police found guns and drugs, including heroin, Crosby said.

Whether the robbers obtained heroin Tuesday night wasn’t known, but in less than 10 minutes they had grabbed numerous items from the house and loaded them into the bed of the truck.

Four men departed in the truck, which police learned had been stolen in Concord. One robber stole a Ford Mustang convertible from the home, and it later was found abandoned nearby on Marian Way.

Crosby called it fortuitous timing on the part of the officer who pulled over the truck, giving officers at least the stolen truck, the stolen items and evidence inside. What violation she spotted wasn’t clear Wednesday afternoon.

But the men got away. “They spread out, took off in various directions, jumping fences yard to yard,” Crosby said.

Several officers from multiple agencies along with police dogs and a CHP helicopter conducted an hours-long search, which involved officers going into many private yards. Officers did find signs of the men, including items dropped or left behind in yards. One robber apparently lost a shoe. A few more items were found Wednesday in the light of day, including articles of clothing, he said.

Crosby said at least a few of the robbers may be known to the victims. No detailed descriptions were given to police.

“A lot of my neighbors are terrified,” said Lynn Calza, who lives in the area.

She said she saw the men pull up in the truck and start loading the items from the house but assumed at that time someone was moving out. People constantly are moving in and out of the house, Calza said.

The drug activity at that house has been a major concern for residents for at least the past two years, she said. Some neighbors are too scared to step out of their homes and often find syringes and litter in their yards.

Police often get called to the house, Calza added. Tired of the situation, she said residents in the area have banded together to form a neighborhood watch and report anything suspicious to police.

“We’re not taking it lying down. We’re actively trying to find a solution,” Calza said, adding that they want the residents in that house out.

The sergeant asked anyone with information to contact Detective Joe Stemmer at 778-4532.

Staff Writer Eloísa González contributed to the report. You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@rossmannreport.