Full Notification

On October 20^th, 2022, the police department received a report of a possible kidnapping that had taken place the day prior, in the 100 Block of Ellis Street.  The investigating officer contacted the reporting party, a local school official.   The reporting party said a 12-year-old female, who attended a local Junior High School, had reported to a school counselor an incident that occurred the day prior.  The investigating officer then contacted the victim.  The victim stated her father picked her up from school and dropped her off near the intersection of Madison Street and Ellis Street at approximately 2:15 PM, so she could walk home.  The victim stated that an older white van, with many dents, black rims, tinted windows, and a derogatory word beginning with “f “spray painted in black color on the passenger side door was following her on Madison Street.  The van then pulled next to her and a black male, in his 20’s, tall, thin build, wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, light grey running shoes, black gloves, black ski mask, got out of the passenger door and grabbed her. She said the suspect did not say anything.  The victim said she was able to break away and run home.  She said the driver of the van never exited. She described the driver as a white male, 20’s, wearing a black beanie, black hoodie with the sleeves cut off and a diamond stud nose piercing.   She said she did not see in what direction the van drove away.  When she arrived at home, she only told her mother only that a van had been following her.  The parents did not report the incident.  This incident took place near McKinley Elementary School on Ellis Street.   Officers canvassed the area and tried to locate any witnesses or surveillance cameras that may have seen the incident the day prior.   Officers located no witnesses.  Today, officers were able to contact the school counselor and other school officials from McKinley School and the victim’s school.  Officers re-interviewed the victim today, to gather more information. The victim stated there was a second female youth she met after she was dropped off, that also saw the van.  The victim said the second youth also ran away, but in a different direction.  The victim did not know the identity of the female youth.  The police department has not received any other reports of a similar incident.  Officers are checking to see if any similar incidents may have occurred in the Bay Area recently. 
 
The Petaluma PD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this van and its occupants. If you witnessed the incident or may have video surveillance of the area, please contact the Petaluma Police Department Investigations Unit at 707-778-4373.
 
Media inquiries may be directed to Lieutenant Tim Lyons at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4372.