On August 23rd, at 1:30 PM, the Petaluma Police Department received a report of a male subject who was inside Target concealing several over-the-counter medications into a black duffle bag. The subject attempted to flee by utilizing a fire escape door to the rear of the store.
With the joint cooperation and coordination of Target Loss Prevention and Petaluma Dispatch, officers were waiting outside the fire escape door as the subject exited. The subject, who initially attempted to throw the duffle away into a nearby dumpster, was detained without incident. The subject was identified as James Johnson (32, Santa Maria).
Over $900 worth of over-the-counter medications were recovered as well as over 15 grams of suspected fentanyl that was on Johnson’s person. A record’s check on Johonson revealed he had at least two prior convictions for theft-related offenses, qualifying him for charges under Penal Code 666.1 P.C. which addresses repeat theft offenders. Johnson was later booked at the Sonoma County Jail for:
- 666.1(a)(1) PC – Theft with priors
- 11350(a) H&S – Possession of a controlled substance
