Petaluma police arrest three men in vehicle burglary investigation

Petaluma police on Tuesday reported the arrest of three men during an investigation into a vehicle burglary around the East Washington Shopping Center last week.

Police stopped Austin Hazen, 25, of Santa Rosa, who matched the description a suspected seen breaking into a vehicle around 5:30 p.m. April 23, Petaluma police said in a statement Tuesday. Hazen had cut off his shirt sleeves and pant legs to disguise himself, police said.

He initially provided police with a false name but was later found to have two theft-related warrants out for his arrest, police said.

Officers then stopped Stephen Salazar, a person known to associate with Hazen, as he walked in the area, police said. Salazar, 28, of Santa Rosa, allegedly had drug paraphernalia, Xanax pills not prescribed to him, a fraudulent $100 bill and a cashier check stolen from a car in Santa Rosa in earlier April.

Petaluma police officers took both men to the station for questioning then returned to the shopping center where they found a Saturn Vue in the parking lot. It had been reported stolen in Santa Rosa two days before.

Officers saw Cory Morrow, a 33-year-old transient, who admitted to knowing Salazar and Hazen, police said. He was found to be in possession of heroin, drug paraphernalia and a concealed dagger, police said

All three men were taken to Sonoma County Jail where they are being held on various potential felony and misdemeanor charges.

You can reach Staff Writer Nick Rahaim at 707-521-5203 or nick.rahaim@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nrahaim.