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Petaluma Police Department Department
NEWS RELEASE
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
Issued By: Sergeant Ryan Suhrke, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4372,
[email protected]
Incident:
Juvenile Arrested for Brandishing Replica Firearm in Public
Occurred Date :
March 31st, 2026
Occurred Time:
04:47 PM
Location:
Cross Creek Drive/ Hidden Valley Dr, Petaluma
Suspect:
16-year-old Petaluma resident
Charges:
417.4 PC- Brandish a Replica Firearm in Public
Incident Summary
On 03/31/2026 at approximately 4:47 P.M. Petaluma officers were dispatched to a report of an altercation involving several teenage males in the 3000 block of Cross Creek Drive. The reporting party then stated that one of the subjects had pulled a handgun out of his backpack and was pointing it at other subjects whom they were fighting with.
As officers began responding, the involved groups separated, with one group leaving in a nearby vehicle, while the group associated with the suspect armed with a handgun ran towards Hidden Valley Drive.
The suspect in this case was seen running into the creek area next to Casa Grande Road, starting from the cul-de-sac of Hidden Valley Drive with at least two additional suspects.
The responding Petaluma officers set up a perimeter in the area as the suspects continue to flee as officers arrived. The Petaluma Police Drone Team and K9 Archer deployed to the area as well to assist in the search.
Shortly after setting up a perimeter, the suspects fled onto Casa Grande Road, where Petaluma officers were waiting and detained them without incident. It was discovered the suspect with the firearm had discarded his backpack with the firearm in it somewhere near the creek.
K9 Archer and the drone team conducted a thorough search of the area and located the backpack. It contained two replica handguns and a real .45 caliber magazine. The juvenile suspect that had brandished the replica firearm was identified as a 16-year-old Petaluma resident and was subsequently arrested for the above charge.
The two replica handguns were seized for evidence. The other two juveniles were released without charges. The arrested juvenile’s name will not be released due to his age.
For media inquiries, please contact Lieutenant Z. Rivera at
[email protected] or call 707-778-4372 and reference case PE26-0001189.
