Full Notification

On Wednesday, September 13 at approximately 7:19 PM, Petaluma Police responded to the south side of Lucchesi Park, for a report of attempted stabbing.  Offices contacted the victim, a 30-year male, who said he was lying down on the ground near the Community Center, when a female ran around the building yelling obscenities and was holding a kitchen knife.  The female suspect made a slashing motion at him, so used a nearby bicycle to protect himself from being struck.  He said he ran away and thought she had left, but that she returned, and he had to jump over a fence to protect himself.  The victim did not sustain any injuries.  The victim, who is a transient living in West Petaluma, said he recognized the suspect as Sarah Coleman, who lives in a tent along the Petaluma River.  Officers checked the area but were not able to locate the suspect. Part of the incident was captured on surveillance video from the Community Center. 
 
At approximately 12:28 AM, that same evening, the victim called the police department, and reported the suspect was in a shopping on North McDowell Blvd.  Officers responded to the area and located Suspect Coleman, who is 35 years old.  Coleman was placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon.   Coleman claimed that the victim started the altercation and it stemmed from a previous assault in April.   A knife was recovered from Coleman’s backpack.   Coleman was transported to Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.
 
Media inquiries may be directed to Lieutenant Tim Lyons at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4372. PPD Case 22-3933.