Man Displays Knife At Officers, Resists Arrest: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man was taken to jail in a maximum-restraint device Tuesday after police said he pulled out a knife in front of officers and said, "Go ahead, shoot me."

Officers first made contact with Richard Petrini, 33, around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday when they were sent to a domestic-related incident at a residence in the 700 block of Baywood Drive.

It was reported that Petrini was intoxicated and possibly destroying property; when officers got there they determined nothing criminal had taken place, Petaluma police Sgt. Rick Cox said in a news release.

Petrini agreed to leave and officers stayed there to ensure there were no further incidents before he left.

"While trying to figure out transportation for Petrini, his demeanor drastically changed," Cox said. "Petrini took off his sweatshirt and threw it to the ground as if to be preparing to fight the officers."

The sergeant said officers tried to deescalate the situation with communication.

"Petrini then reached into his pants pocket and started to pull out a folding knife," Cox said. "Officers ordered him to drop the knife, but he refused. Petrini pulled out the knife and flipped it open and stated, 'Go ahead, shoot me.'"

Petrini fumbled with the knife and dropped it to the ground, Cox said.

According to the sergeant, an alert officer forcibly pushed Petrini away from the knife, causing Petrini to lose his balance and fall backward at which point officers positioned themselves on top of Petrini and handcuffed his hands behind his back.

"While officers were trying to handcuff Petrini, he banged his head on the ground and continued to do so while in the back of a patrol unit," Cox said."It was decided it was necessary to place Petrini in a maximum restraint device for his own safety. This device is commonly used in situations as these to help prevent an arrestee from hurting themselves."

Petrini was taken to Sonoma County jail where he was booked on suspicion of resisting arrest and displaying a weapon in a threatening manner.

No officers were hurt and Petrini suffered minor self-inflicted injuries, police said.

Jail records show Petrini has since been released from custody.