Community
Police Investigate Cluster of Felony Retail Thefts
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 3:35 PM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Dick’s Sporting Goods for a Felony theft which had just occurred. Store employee’s advised dispatch that a subject, later identified as Evan Thomas, had gathered over $1,000 of merchandise and fled out of the store without paying. Employees were able to provide officers with a description of Thomas’s vehicle, which had fled the area prior to officers’ arrival.
A short time later, a Petaluma Police Community Service Officer located Thomas driving the described vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop and placed Thomas under arrets after he was positively identified as the thief.
With the assistance of K-9 Jax, officers conducted a search of Thomas’ vehicle. During the search officers located the stolen merchandise, burglary tools, and suspected fentanyl.
Thomas was later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for Felony Grand Theft, Possession of Fentanyl, and Possession of Burglary Tools.
At approximately 5:04 PM, while officers were still booking Thomas into the Sonoma County Jail, additional Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Wilco Farm Store for a Felony theft which had just occurred. The reporting party advised dispatch that they had reviewed the stores video surveillance footage after the alarm had gone off and observed two unidentified suspects exit through the emergency doors with approximately $3,000 of merchandise.
Officers arrived on scene and were able to obtain photographs (pictured above) of the suspects from the stores video surveillance footage. If anyone recognizes either of the suspects, we ask that you contact Petaluma Police Officer Eduardo Estrella at 707-781-1206 or via email at [email protected] and reference case 23-3603.
At approximately 6:51 PM, as officers were completing their investigation at Wilco, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Kohl’s for a Felony theft which had just occurred. An observant costumer inside the store advised dispatch that an unidentified suspect had loaded a backpack with perfume and fled out of the store without paying.
Officers arrived on scene and contacted Kohl’s employees who confirmed the theft had occurred. The employee advised officers the suspect had taken over $1,000 of perfume.
Several officers searched the area and were not able to locate the suspect.
Over the past several years the Petaluma Police Department has seen a dramatic increase in organized retail theft as legislation and voter approved initiatives have significantly reduced the consequences for offenders who repeatedly engage in retail theft.
The Petaluma Police Department is committed to working to reduce crime and improve the quality of life throughout the City of Petaluma and encourages residents to partner with us by contacting the Police Department when a police response is appropriate.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.
Police Investigate Cluster of Felony Retail Thefts 
Press Release
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Issued By Sergeant Jake Gutierrez, Petaluma PD
Incident Summary
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 3:35 PM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Dick’s Sporting Goods for a Felony theft which had just occurred. Store employee’s advised dispatch that a subject, later identified as Evan Thomas, had gathered over $1,000 of merchandise and fled out of the store without paying. Employees were able to provide officers with a description of Thomas’s vehicle, which had fled the area prior to officers’ arrival.
A short time later, a Petaluma Police Community Service Officer located Thomas driving the described vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop and placed Thomas under arrets after he was positively identified as the thief.
With the assistance of K-9 Jax, officers conducted a search of Thomas’ vehicle. During the search officers located the stolen merchandise, burglary tools, and suspected fentanyl.
Thomas was later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for Felony Grand Theft, Possession of Fentanyl, and Possession of Burglary Tools.
At approximately 5:04 PM, while officers were still booking Thomas into the Sonoma County Jail, additional Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Wilco Farm Store for a Felony theft which had just occurred. The reporting party advised dispatch that they had reviewed the stores video surveillance footage after the alarm had gone off and observed two unidentified suspects exit through the emergency doors with approximately $3,000 of merchandise.
Officers arrived on scene and were able to obtain photographs (pictured above) of the suspects from the stores video surveillance footage. If anyone recognizes either of the suspects, we ask that you contact Petaluma Police Officer Eduardo Estrella at 707-781-1206 or via email at [email protected] and reference case 23-3603.
At approximately 6:51 PM, as officers were completing their investigation at Wilco, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Kohl’s for a Felony theft which had just occurred. An observant costumer inside the store advised dispatch that an unidentified suspect had loaded a backpack with perfume and fled out of the store without paying.
Officers arrived on scene and contacted Kohl’s employees who confirmed the theft had occurred. The employee advised officers the suspect had taken over $1,000 of perfume.
Several officers searched the area and were not able to locate the suspect.
Over the past several years the Petaluma Police Department has seen a dramatic increase in organized retail theft as legislation and voter approved initiatives have significantly reduced the consequences for offenders who repeatedly engage in retail theft.
The Petaluma Police Department is committed to working to reduce crime and improve the quality of life throughout the City of Petaluma and encourages residents to partner with us by contacting the Police Department when a police response is appropriate.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372
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