Full Notification

On 6/19/16 at approximately 2154 hours, Petaluma Police Officers responded to a report of a burglary which had occurred at K&B Motorsports in the 300 block of Petaluma Blvd North.  A citizen reported seeing a large U-Haul truck back up into the side of the business and then flee with the ramp to the cargo area still dragging on the roadway.  The citizen observed the glass windows of the business were shattered and believed that merchandise from the business had been loaded in the truck.  The U-Haul was last seen by the citizen turning westbound on Oak Street from Petaluma Blvd. North.

Petaluma Police Officers arrived in the area within moments and began to search the surrounding area and likely escape routes.  A short time later, Petaluma Police Officer Brandon Hansen located the U-Haul traveling Eastbound on Washington Street through the intersection of Petaluma Blvd. North.  Officer Hansen called for assistance and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Instead of stopping, the driver of the U-Haul accelerated and led officers on a pursuit of the vehicle. 

The pursuit traveled eastbound on E. Washington Street through the intersections of Copeland Street, Lakeville Street and Payran Street until the suspect vehicle entered US Hwy 101 in the southbound direction.  Speeds during the pursuit reached approximately 60 mph in a posted commercial zone of 30 mph.  At one point the suspect vehicle drove eastbound in the westbound lanes of E. Washington Street in an attempt to evade the pursuing officers. 

Petaluma Police Officers pursued the vehicle southbound on US Hwy 101 until they reached the Nave Drive interchange.  At Nave Drive, several units from the California Highway Patrol joined and took control of the pursuit.  At the Freitas Parkway interchange, all Petaluma Police units terminated their involvement in the pursuit and turned over all control to the California Highway Patrol.

Petaluma Police units monitored the pursuit by radio transmissions and later learned that the suspect vehicle had traveled, being pursued by CHP, into the City of San Francisco by way of the Golden Gate Bridge. The CHP notified the San Francisco Police Department of the pursuit and requested assistant.  During that time, The California Highway Patrol helicopter H30 lost sight of the suspect vehicle in the area of 13^th Street and Howard Street when the vehicle traveled under an overpass.  The suspects were not located.

The investigation revealed that 5 motorcycles had been stolen from K&B Motorsports during the burglary and loaded into the U-Haul truck.  Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force investigators were notified took over the investigation.

On June 21, 2016, the U-Haul truck was located abandoned and empty in the area of Candlestick Park in San Francisco.  SONCATT detectives responded to the scene and processed the vehicle for evidence including prints and DNA evidence.  Detectives are currently following up on all leads and checking for any similar incidents in other jurisdictions.

The loss is reported to be 5 off road style motorcycles.  The makes and models include 1 Kawasaki KX100, 1 Kawasaki KX450, 1 Yamaha KX450, 1 KTM 350 XC-F and 1 KTM 350 SX-F.  The total loss is estimated to be $38,000 in product.  The damage to the building was significant but no estimate is available.

If you have information about this crime please contact SONCATT Detective Adam Wirtz at 707-565-1377.

Prepared by:  Special Operations Lieutenant Danny Fish