Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 6:45am

Contact: Sergeant Ken Savano, Petaluma PD, 707.778.4373 or email [email protected]


Date: February 12, 2014

Report Number: 14-000644 and 14-000599

Occurred Date
and Time: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 6:45am

Incident:
Illegal Dumping Investigations at City Parks
Lead Police to Suspects and Arrests

Suspect(s): Floriberto Ojeda, age 35, from Petaluma
Walter McIlvain, age 50, from Petaluma

Summary:
In the last several months, officers from the Petaluma Police Department have been conducting extra patrols at City parks to improve safety and reduce crime. One common problem reported by citizens and observed by officers was the issue if illegal dumping of trash and old furniture.

On Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 10:15am, an officer on patrol discovered a couch and bags of household trash dumped at Prince Park on East Washington Street. In addition to calling a Public Works crew to clean up the debris, the officer took the initiative to look through the trash for any leads that may result in a long term solution to the problem. His efforts paid off when he discovered mail that belonged to Walter McIlvain with a Petaluma address. What was even more interesting was the mail was from the County of Mendocino for a warrant that had been issued for McIlvain. The investigation resulted in his arrest for the warrant and the discovery that his son was actually responsible for the illegal dumping. He went to county jail and his son spent the day cleaning up the park.

This morning, at 6:45am, officers were conducting surveillance at Wickersham Park in response to months of complaints from residents around the park and the surrounding area who have been discovering yellow bags of trash dumped weekly and sometimes daily. Officers learned from the residents that the suspect was routinely dumping the garbage between 5am and 7am. Last week, officers conducted surveillance and were not able to identify a suspect. This morning, officers observed Floriberto Ojeda driving on G Street next to the park when a yellow garbage bag was thrown out of the passenger window across from the park. Officers waiting in the area stopped Ojeda and learned that he was driving without a license and was on probation for driving without a license. Ojeda admitted to the illegal dumping. He was arrested for illegal dumping, driving without a license, and a violation of probation. His vehicle has been impounded for 30 days. His bail was set at $2000.

Officers also learned that a possible motive for Ojeda’s illegal dumping was the fact that he did not have required garbage service at his home on 6th Street which was cancelled in June of 2012.

Illegal dumping continues to be a serious problem in Petaluma. Penalties for illegal dumping include county jail and fines up to $1000. Residents who observe illegal dumping are encouraged to report the crime to the Petaluma Police Department.


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