Man Climbs 15-Foot-High Tea Kettle, Drug Use Suspected: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man found perched inside a large tea kettle about 15 feet off the ground Wednesday night at the Petaluma SMART Train Depot was believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance, police said.

An officer was on routine patrol around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when he heard shouting near the Petaluma Visitor's Center and train station at 22o Lakeville St., Petaluma police Lt. Nick McGowan said.

Shortly thereafter, the officer discovered a 22-year-old Petaluma man inside the tea kettle that is a public art display, McGowan said.

The man's demeanor was erratic; he displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance, and when questioned, told officers he would jump if they tried to arrest him, the lieutenant said.

When officers trained in crisis intervention and hostage negation spoke with the man for around 15 minutes, he agreed to climb down from the tea kettle.

Back on solid ground, the man was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and violating the terms of his probation, McGowan said.

"The Petaluma Police Department is passionate about professional development and continuous training," McGowan said. "Petaluma Police Department officers are trained in crisis intervention, de-escalation tactics, and how to evaluate individuals under the influence of controlled substances and alcohol."