Community
Police Arrest Theft Suspects in Possession of a Firearm
Incident: Police Arrest Theft Suspects in Possession of a Firearm
Report Number: 23-4083
Occurred Date : September 14, 2023
Occurred Time: 3:05 PM
Location: Factory Brand Shoes
Suspects: Taylor Jones, 31-year-old San Rafael Resident
Jaewon Hwang, 43-year-old San Rafael Resident
On Thursday, September 14th, 2023, at approximately 3:05 PM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Factory Brand Shoes at the Petaluma Factory Outlets, for a theft which had just occurred. Security officers reported several subjects had just stolen merchandise from the store and fled in a red colored Buick sedan.
Officers arrived in the area and began searching for the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle was located pulling into the Gateway Shopping Center in Petaluma. The vehicle was occupied by Taylor Jones, Jaewon Hwang and three additional subjects who were not arrested.
While officers were conducting their investigation, an officer with the Community Impact Response Team (CIRT) observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle. Based on the CIRT Officers observations, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.
During the search of the vehicle, officers located the merchandise which had been stolen from Factory brand Shoes, in addition to illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, an unregistered firearm and ammunition. The firearm was located in a shoulder bag on the floorboard of the rear passenger seat, where Hwang had been seated.
At the conclusion of the investigation, officers arrested Hwang and Jones. During a search of Jones incident to arrest, officers located 23.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine hidden on her person.
Hwang and Jones were later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for Petty Theft, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Concealed Firearm in a Vehicle.
Over the past several years the Petaluma Police Department has seen a dramatic increase in organized retail theft and illegal firearm possession as legislation and voter approved initiatives have significantly reduced the consequences for offenders who repeatedly engage in nonviolent criminal activity.
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 Arrest Theft Suspects in Possession of a Firearm 
Press Release Friday, September 15, 2023
Issued By:
Sergeant Jake Gutierrez, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4532, jgutierrez@cityofpetaluma.org
Incident: Police Arrest Theft Suspects in Possession of a Firearm
Report Number: 23-4083
Occurred Date : September 14, 2023
Occurred Time: 3:05 PM
Location: Factory Brand Shoes
Suspects: Taylor Jones, 31-year-old San Rafael Resident
Jaewon Hwang, 43-year-old San Rafael Resident
Incident Summary
On Thursday, September 14th, 2023, at approximately 3:05 PM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to Factory Brand Shoes at the Petaluma Factory Outlets, for a theft which had just occurred. Security officers reported several subjects had just stolen merchandise from the store and fled in a red colored Buick sedan.
Officers arrived in the area and began searching for the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle was located pulling into the Gateway Shopping Center in Petaluma. The vehicle was occupied by Taylor Jones, Jaewon Hwang and three additional subjects who were not arrested.
While officers were conducting their investigation, an officer with the Community Impact Response Team (CIRT) observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle. Based on the CIRT Officers observations, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.
During the search of the vehicle, officers located the merchandise which had been stolen from Factory brand Shoes, in addition to illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, an unregistered firearm and ammunition. The firearm was located in a shoulder bag on the floorboard of the rear passenger seat, where Hwang had been seated.
At the conclusion of the investigation, officers arrested Hwang and Jones. During a search of Jones incident to arrest, officers located 23.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine hidden on her person.
Hwang and Jones were later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for Petty Theft, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Concealed Firearm in a Vehicle.
Over the past several years the Petaluma Police Department has seen a dramatic increase in organized retail theft and illegal firearm possession as legislation and voter approved initiatives have significantly reduced the consequences for offenders who repeatedly engage in nonviolent criminal activity.
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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