Full Notification

On Saturday, July 1, 2023, at approximately 7:21 pm, the Petaluma Police Department received a phone call from a concerned citizen about a subject stumbling and drinking a bottle of alcohol outside his vehicle. The citizen provided a detailed description of the subject and his associated vehicle. Officers responded to the area of the 1000 block of Lakeville Highway and located the vehicle (black Nissan Pathfinder). Due to the allegation of the subject drinking and now driving, an officer positioned his patrol vehicle behind the subject’s vehicle. The officer then activated the emergency lights and siren to the patrol vehicle. The driver of the vehicle (later identified as Samuel Venegas a 32-year-old Dixon resident) did not stop after the officer attempted the enforcement stop. Venegas continued east on Lakeville Highway at a high rate of speed with officers now pursuing. Venegas accelerated to speeds close to 100 mph as he left town on Lakeville Highway toward Highway 37. Due to factors including excessive speeds, officers lost sight of the vehicle.
 
Petaluma officers later received assistance from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter (Henry-1). The helicopter was able to locate the vehicle in question. Despite not being pursued by officers, the vehicle was still driving erratically which included driving at high rates of speed and driving into oncoming traffic. Ultimately, with the helicopter operators providing detailed updates, deputies from the Sonoma County Sherriff’s Office were able to locate and attempt an enforcement stop. Venegas again attempted to evade, but after a short distance yielded to pursuing deputies. Venegas was taken into custody.
 
When officers contacted Venegas, he was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. A records check revealed Venegas was on probation out of two separate counties for driving under the influence of alcohol. Venegas was later booked into the Sonoma County Jail for charges including evading (officers), violation of probation, resisting arrest, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
 
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and our community members who continue to call in suspicious activity, for their assistance in apprehending the suspect.
 
Media inquiries may be directed to Lt. Garrett Glaviano at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4372.