PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release/Broadcast
Friday, February 22, 2013
Traffic Safety Operation
DUI Probation and Warrant Sweep
Nets Two Arrests, One Repeat Offender
The Petaluma Police Department Traffic Team conducted a DUI Probation and Warrant Sweep in the City of Petaluma on Thursday, February 21, 2013 between the hours of 12pm and 10pm. During the operation officers conducted probation compliance checks on known habitual DUI offenders on probation to be sure they were in compliance with the terms of their court ordered probation. Officers also attempted to serve DUI warrants on DUI offenders who failed to appear in court or who had previously violated the terms of their probation.
During the operation officers conducted 9 DUI probation compliance checks and attempted to serve 6 DUI warrants. During the probation checks, officers found no violations by any of the DUI probationers. Out of the warrant attempts, two DUI offenders were arrested. Jose Chavez, age 26, from Petaluma was arrested for an outstanding DUI warrant for failing to obey court orders from his DUI case. He is currently on DUI probation and has two prior DUI offenses, one in 2007 and one in 2011. The second subject arrested was Jose Cornejo, age 20, from Petaluma. His warrant was for failing to appear in court on his DUI from August 2012. Both subjects were transported to Sonoma County Jail.
Impaired driving remains a serious traffic safety problem in Petaluma. Additional DUI probation and warrant sweep operations are planned throughout the year. DUI offenders with active warrants are encouraged to self surrender at the Sonoma County Jail or the Petaluma Police Department to avoid officers coming to their home or place of employment. The public can report habitual DUI offenders to the Petaluma Police Department DUI Offender Hot Line at 707.778.4335. If DUI offenders are observed driving the public is reminded to REPORT DRUNK DRIVERS and CALL 911.
Funding for this operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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