Full Notification

CITY OF PETALUMA, CA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/BROADCAST

DATE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

DATE AND TIME OCCURRED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013 AT 6:15 PM
REPORT NUMBER: 13-00307

INCIDENT: ARREST FOR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY, UNLAWFUL USE OF CREDIT CARDS

LOCATION: 200 BLOCK OF HOWARD STREET

SUSPECTS: Kirk Tuft Johnson, 52 year old, Petaluma resident

SUMMARY: On the above date and time, Petaluma officers took a residential burglary report. The suspect took computers, jewelry, and credit cards. It was determined the suspect forced entry into the residence through a window. The victim noticed activity on their credit cards that was unauthorized. CHP Officer Hardcastle conducted follow-up and obtained video surveillance from the locations the stolen credit cards were used at. The victim subsequently viewed the video and identified the suspect as a neighbor. On February 6, Detectives contacted suspect Johnson at his residence and arrested him. Some of the stolen items were found in the suspect’s 1986 Dodge Ram van. Also found were a total of 153 keys, with over 60 belonging to vehicles. Detectives were able to determine that Johnson frequents the Bodega Bay area, particularly North Salmon Creek and Doran Beach and that he is a suspect in vehicle burglary investigated by the Sheriff’s Office from July 2012. Johnson’s van was indentified in the burglary. Detectives were able to match one of the keys found to the Sheriff’s Office burglary case. In that case a Go Pro Camera was taken from a vehicle. Johnson apparently would frequent the parking lots near beach accesses and look for hidden keys left on the exterior of the vehicles by the drivers. He would use the key to gain access into the vehicle. PPD property crimes detectives are following up all auto burglary cases with similar circumstances that occurred near Bodega within the last year. Johnson’s van is white and has a yellow kayak on the roof. Johnson was transported to County Jail. If anyone has been a victim, where there key was taken and items stolen from their vehicle, while parked at beach parking lot near Bodega, contact PPD Investigations at 778-4375. CHP Officer Hardcastle is temporarily assigned with PPD as part of a collaborative effort to address property crimes and other quality of life problems effecting southern Sonoma County.

PREPARED BY: LT. TIM LYONS CONTACT NUMBER: 707-778-4372