Full Notification

On September 2nd, 2025, at 9:15 PM, a routine traffic stop escalated into a brief pursuit and extended standoff that concluded safely outside the Petaluma Police Department.

An officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a minor traffic violation when the driver failed to yield and instead accelerated away, running several red lights in the process. Officers initiated a short pursuit to prevent further risk to the community. The pursuit came to an unusual conclusion when the driver pulled into a parking lot immediately adjacent to the Petaluma Police Department station.

Once stopped, the driver remained inside the vehicle with the engine still running and the doors locked. Officers observed the driver rummaging through the car while it remained in drive, creating an unsafe and unpredictable situation. Out of concern for public safety and the risk of the vehicle moving unexpectedly, officers deployed a drone to safely monitor the incident from above while maintaining distance.

For more than 40 minutes, officers gave repeated commands for the driver to exit the vehicle peacefully. Despite ongoing efforts to negotiate, the driver ignored instructions and showed signs of intoxication. To prevent the possibility of another pursuit involving an impaired driver, officers used pepper spray to encourage compliance and bring the situation to a safe conclusion.

Following this intervention, the driver surrendered and was taken into custody without any further use of force. No officers, community members, or the driver were injured during the incident.

This incident highlights the Petaluma Police Department’s commitment to resolving dangerous encounters with patience, technology, and tactical decision-making designed to protect the community. By utilizing negotiation, time, and tools such as drones, officers were able to de-escalate a volatile situation and take an impaired driver into custody without injury.

The driver, identified as 33-year-old Osvaldo Castenada, is facing charges related to DUI and evading police. The case will be forwarded to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Media Inquiries should be directed to Lieutenant Zilverio Rivera (707)781-1277.