Community
Subject Arrested During HAZMAT Incident
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Friday, March 8th, 2024
Issued By: Sergeant Ryan Suhrke, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4372, [email protected]
Incident: Subject Arrested During HAZMAT Incident
Case Number: PE24-0001009
Occurred Date : March 8th, 2024.
Occurred Time: 08:16 AM
Location: 100 Block of Vallejo Street, Petaluma
Suspect: Tony Sampson (58-year-old Petaluma Transient)
Charges: 117555 H&S- Dump Waste into Public Area
166(a)(4) PC- Disobey Court Order
148(a)(1) PC- Obstruct/Delay Officer
On 03/08/2024 at approximately 08:16 AM, residents near the 100 block of Vallejo Street reported an RV that was leaking human sewage onto the ground and the surrounding area. Officers responded to the scene and located the RV, which was still leaking a large amount of human sewage. Sewage was seen leaking down the block, towards nearby storm drains. Petaluma Public Works and Petaluma Fire Department employees quickly responded and contained the HAZMAT.
Officers spoke with the owner of the RV, who was identified as Tony Sampson through one of the RV’s windows. Sampson was determined to be a Sonoma County probationer, who had several terms, which included complying with law enforcement instructions and submitting to search and seizure.
Officers continually advised Sampson that he would need to exit the RV in order to prevent any further HAZMAT issues and to comply with his court orders, but he refused to leave the RV and stated he would not comply with the officers’ instructions in violation of his court ordered terms. Officers negotiated with Sampson for over 30 minutes, where the SAFE team responded and attempted to negotiate with him further, but to no avail.
After nearly an hour of negotiating with Sampson, officers were able to make entry into the RV. After a brief standoff inside the RV, Sampson was taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to the Sonoma County Jail where he was booked for the listed charges.
Two dogs were located inside the RV, which Petaluma Animal Control took into their temporary custody for sheltering. The RV was towed from the scene by officers and the remainder of the HAZMAT was cleaned up by Petaluma Public Works, which prevented possible ecological damage.
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the area residents who alerted the police department to the HAMZAT situation. Also, the other city agencies who responded to the scene to assist.
Subject Arrested During HAZMAT Incident 
|
For Immediate Release
Friday, March 8th, 2024
Issued By: Sergeant Ryan Suhrke, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4372, [email protected]
Incident: Subject Arrested During HAZMAT Incident
Case Number: PE24-0001009
Occurred Date : March 8th, 2024.
Occurred Time: 08:16 AM
Location: 100 Block of Vallejo Street, Petaluma
Suspect: Tony Sampson (58-year-old Petaluma Transient)
Charges: 117555 H&S- Dump Waste into Public Area
166(a)(4) PC- Disobey Court Order
148(a)(1) PC- Obstruct/Delay Officer
Incident Summary
On 03/08/2024 at approximately 08:16 AM, residents near the 100 block of Vallejo Street reported an RV that was leaking human sewage onto the ground and the surrounding area. Officers responded to the scene and located the RV, which was still leaking a large amount of human sewage. Sewage was seen leaking down the block, towards nearby storm drains. Petaluma Public Works and Petaluma Fire Department employees quickly responded and contained the HAZMAT.
Officers spoke with the owner of the RV, who was identified as Tony Sampson through one of the RV’s windows. Sampson was determined to be a Sonoma County probationer, who had several terms, which included complying with law enforcement instructions and submitting to search and seizure.
Officers continually advised Sampson that he would need to exit the RV in order to prevent any further HAZMAT issues and to comply with his court orders, but he refused to leave the RV and stated he would not comply with the officers’ instructions in violation of his court ordered terms. Officers negotiated with Sampson for over 30 minutes, where the SAFE team responded and attempted to negotiate with him further, but to no avail.
After nearly an hour of negotiating with Sampson, officers were able to make entry into the RV. After a brief standoff inside the RV, Sampson was taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to the Sonoma County Jail where he was booked for the listed charges.
Two dogs were located inside the RV, which Petaluma Animal Control took into their temporary custody for sheltering. The RV was towed from the scene by officers and the remainder of the HAZMAT was cleaned up by Petaluma Public Works, which prevented possible ecological damage.
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the area residents who alerted the police department to the HAMZAT situation. Also, the other city agencies who responded to the scene to assist.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP PETPD followed by your message, to 888777
