Community
Violent Suspect Arrested in Petaluma
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday April 17, 2018
Issued By:
Sergeant Lance Novello, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4372, [email protected]
Incident: Violent Suspect Arrested in Petaluma
Report Number: 18-1826
Occurred Date: April 17, 2018
Occurred Time: 1:59 PM
Location: Steamer Landing Park
Suspect(s): Michael Taylor, 53 year old transient
On April 17, 2018, around 2:00 PM, Petaluma Police Department received a 9-1-1 call describing a man holding a gun and acting aggressively in a vehicle in Steamer Landing Park. Officers arrived and quickly located the vehicle, with the male reaching around inside. Officers performed a high-risk contact and ordered the male out of the vehicle. The male immediately complied and yelled he had a BB gun. He was detained without further incident and neither he nor others in the park were injured.
The male was identified as Michael Taylor and he made several statements suggesting his desire for a “suicide by cop” scenario. A search of his vehicle yielded a replica semi-automatic air pistol, body armor, and OC “pepper” spray. Based on the circumstances and his statements, he was detained for a mental health evaluation.
Shortly afterward, Petaluma Police Department received an unrelated teletype from Santa Rosa Police Department describing Taylor being wanted pursuant to a violent incident earlier in the day. Santa Rosa Police took him into custody and booked him into the Sonoma County Jail.
Violent Suspect Arrested in Petaluma 
|
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday April 17, 2018
Issued By:
Sergeant Lance Novello, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4372, [email protected]
Incident: Violent Suspect Arrested in Petaluma
Report Number: 18-1826
Occurred Date: April 17, 2018
Occurred Time: 1:59 PM
Location: Steamer Landing Park
Suspect(s): Michael Taylor, 53 year old transient
Incident Summary
On April 17, 2018, around 2:00 PM, Petaluma Police Department received a 9-1-1 call describing a man holding a gun and acting aggressively in a vehicle in Steamer Landing Park. Officers arrived and quickly located the vehicle, with the male reaching around inside. Officers performed a high-risk contact and ordered the male out of the vehicle. The male immediately complied and yelled he had a BB gun. He was detained without further incident and neither he nor others in the park were injured.
The male was identified as Michael Taylor and he made several statements suggesting his desire for a “suicide by cop” scenario. A search of his vehicle yielded a replica semi-automatic air pistol, body armor, and OC “pepper” spray. Based on the circumstances and his statements, he was detained for a mental health evaluation.
Shortly afterward, Petaluma Police Department received an unrelated teletype from Santa Rosa Police Department describing Taylor being wanted pursuant to a violent incident earlier in the day. Santa Rosa Police took him into custody and booked him into the Sonoma County Jail.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP PETPD followed by your message, to 888777
