Full Notification

 
On March 8^th, at 4:04 PM, Petaluma Police Department officers were dispatched to the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets for a grab and run style theft that had just occurred at the Nike store. Employees at Nike reported that a male suspect had just fled from the store holding armfuls of Nike merchandise valued at over $950. The suspect got into a waiting vehicle and fled the area. The vehicle was described as a silver Ford F-150.
 
An officer traveling southbound on Highway 101 noticed a silver Ford F-150 traveling south near the Lakeville/116 offramp. The officer recognized the Ford’s license plate as matching from a prior theft from Nike just a week earlier. The officer maintained a position behind the Ford and requested air support from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
 
The Ford continued southbound on Highway 101 and into Novato. Once the appropriate number of resources were in position, including officers with the California Highway Patrol, Novato PD, and air support from Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter Henry-1, a traffic enforcement stop was initiated on the Ford. The Ford failed to yield to the Officer’s red light and sirens and continued traveling through Novato. The officer initiated a pursuit which lasted approximately 3 miles with the Ford yielding just south of Ignacio Blvd, on Highway 101. The Ford did not exceed 65 MPH during the pursuit.
 
The three occupants of the Ford were detained and evidence of the theft from Nike was located inside. All three individuals were transported to the Petaluma Police Department.
 
The person who committed the theft was identified as 18-year-old Jose Garcia Cruz, out of Richmond. The driver of the Ford and other passenger were both juveniles.
 
Garcia Cruz was later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for

• 182 PC – Conspiracy to commit a crime
• 490.4 PC – Organized retail theft with intent
• 459.5 PC – Shoplifting
• 272 PC – Contributing to the delinquency of a minor

 
The two juveniles were booked the Sonoma County Juvenile Detention Facility for

• 182 PC – Conspiracy to commit a crime
• 490.4 PC – Organized retail theft with intent
• 459.5 PC – Shoplifting

 
And an added charge against the juvenile driver of

• 2800.1 VC – Vehicle evading

 
Through our preliminary investigation, we discovered additional evidence of thefts from other Nike stores in the area including Napa and Vacaville. The total amount recovered was approximately $3,000 worth of Nike merchandise.
 
The Petaluma Police Department would like to extend our appreciation to the California Highway Patrol, Novato PD, and Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Helicopter Henry-1 for their assistance in apprehending and safely taking these suspects into custody.
 
For media inquiries, please contact Lieutenant Z. Rivera at ZRivera@cityofpetaluma.org. Or please contact 707-781-1277 and reference case 25-0853.