Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

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

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Report Number: 14-0002251

Occurred Date
and Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 1031am

Incident: Stolen Vehicle and Drug Arrest Leads Police
to Suspicious Device

Suspect(s): Michael Inocencio, age 30, from Petaluma

Summary:
On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at about 8:00am, the Petaluma Police Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from the 800 block of Petaluma Blvd North. The victim reported that a van had been stolen from the rear lot of their business sometime during the night. A witness had seen their van parked in the 1200 block of Petaluma Blvd North and called the victim who called the Department.

The investigation into the theft lead to the discovery of a pair of pants found inside the stolen vehicle that did not belong to the victim. In the pants, officers found a wallet with identification that belonged to suspect Inocencio. Inocencio is well known to law enforcement from numerous contacts in and around the apartment complex located in the 100 block of Magnolia Avenue. The complex is located immediately adjacent to the address where the van was stolen. Officers also learned that Inocencio had an active $10,000 warrant from Sonoma County for burglary.

Detectives checked the area of the apartment complex and found Inocencio asleep inside a vehicle registered to his mother who resides in the complex. The passenger side window had been broken out. Inocencio was arrested without incident for the outstanding warrant. Officers searched the vehicle and found a plastic Gatorade bottle containing a liquid solution that had separated with liquid and a solid substance on top. The bottle also contained a book of matches and a battery. The bottle was sealed with a radiator cap from a vehicle. The contents of the bottle were not known but based on the officer’s training and experience appeared to be a possible device used for manufacturing methamphetamine. Other dangerous and flammable chemicals used in the manufacturing process of methamphetamine were found in the vehicle. The manufacturing process is dangerous and could expose anyone to hazardous vapors or liquids.

Officers secured the area and called in hazardous materials personnel from Petaluma Fire Department. Assistance was requested from the Sonoma County DEA Task Force who contacted the Lake County Drug Task Force who sent an agent specifically trained to process, test, and dispose of clandestine drug labs.

After the substances were separated and rendered safe, it was determined the process or intentions of the suspect did not result the manufacturing of illegal drugs. The materials were disposed of by a certified disposal company.

Incocencio was booked at Sonoma County Jail with Bail set at $10,000. During the booking process, corrections personnel located suspected methamphetamine in his shoe. He was also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

A portion of the apartment complex parking lot was blocked off during this investigation for safety. The parking lot re-opened at approximately 5:00pm. The stolen vehicle situation remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Brian Miller at 707.778.4456 or by anonymous tip at 877-TIPS-247 or 877-847-7247.


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