Man Driving Erratically In Petaluma Arrested For Vehicle Theft

PETALUMA, CA — A 39-year-old Santa Rosa man was arrested Saturday for vehicle theft after he was seen driving erratically with the stolen vehicle, according to a Petaluma police spokesperson.

Earlier in the day, Petaluma police received several calls from residents in the city's Southgate neighborhood about a red Toyota Sienna seen driving recklessly through neighborhood streets.

While officers were checking the neighborhood, a man contacted one of the officers to notify that his vehicle had just been stolen on Lakeview Circle. The man described his vehicle, and police determined it was the same vehicle being driven erratically.

Residents told officers they believed the vehicle was still in the neighborhood. Shortly after, an officer located the vehicle unoccupied. Nearby residents were contacted and video surveillance was obtained that showed the suspect leaving the vehicle and fleeing the area on foot.

Petaluma officers canvassed nearby neighborhoods and an officer located a man who matched the description seen on video surveillance. The man, identified as Benjamin Padgett of Santa Rosa, was detained and ultimately identified by a witness. After being interviewed and identified as the suspect, he was arrested for vehicle theft.

It was discovered that Padgett was recently arrested for the same crime. He was taken to Sonoma County Jail, where he was booked for vehicle theft.

The Petaluma Police Department acknowledges the alert citizens for their assistance during the incident.

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