Full Notification

Parolee Armed With Loaded Firearm Assaults Police Officer
Report Number:          18-5172
Occurred Date :           11-15-2018
Occurred Time:           5:15 PM
Location:                     100 block East Ct.
Suspect(s):                Jacob Lanatti, 28 year old, Petaluma resident

On November 15, 2018, at approximately 5:15 PM, officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of East Ct. after receiving multiple reports of 10-12 subjects outside yelling for the residents to exit the residence.  While responding it was further reported that two of the subjects were armed with a baseball bat and a handgun and that one of them had just kicked in the front door of the victim’s residence.
 
As numerous officers began arriving on scene it was reported that one of the involved suspects was possibly leaving in a white pickup truck.  Officers located a pickup truck leaving the area and conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle based on the report of firearms being involved. Officers contacted the driver, later identified as Jacob Lanatti, who initially refused to follow commands or park the vehicle.  Lanatti eventually complied and two officers began to remove him from the vehicle.  Upon exiting the vehicle Lanatti immediately swung and punched one of the officers in the face.  After striking the officer, Lanatti attempted to flee on foot, but was tackled and taken to the ground by the officers.  While on the ground Lanatti continued to physically fight with the officer as he attempted to place his hands underneath his body in the area of his waistband.  The officers fearing that Lanatti was attempting to retrieve a weapon punched him while ordering him to show his hands and to stop resisting.  Lanatti continued to resist and during the struggle a firearm was located on the ground between Lanatti’s legs.  The officers continued fighting with Lanatti while they attempted to secure the firearm.  With the assistance of a third officer Lanatti was taken into custody. 
 
Simultaneously to the altercation with Lanatti, other officers established a perimeter around East Ct. and began detaining numerous subjects associated with the initial disturbance report.  While clearing the area additional calls were received from residents in the area reporting subjects hiding in yards throughout the neighborhood.  Officers went yard by yard checking for outstanding suspects.  After completing the search of the area officers contacted a total of 12 individuals associated with this incident. 
 
Through interviews it was learned that Lanatti and another suspect had been the two subjects armed with weapons demanding the victim exit their residence.  The initial altercation appears to involve a neighbor dispute, however, Lanatti does not appear to reside at any of the involved residences.  During the dispute Lanatti was armed with a firearm and the other suspect kicked in the female victim’s front door and made multiple threats towards the victim.  The second suspect entered the victim’s residence and physical assaulted the victim.  A rock appears to have also been thrown through a window at the victim’s residence.
 
A records check of Lanatti returned showing that he was documented Sureno criminal street gang member and was on active parole for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.  Lanatti was placed under arrest for violations of 29800(a)(1) PC, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 30305(a)(1) PC, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, 25400(a)(1) PC, Possession of a Concealed Firearm in Vehicle, 243(c)(2) PC, Felony Assault on a Police Officer, 182(a)(1) PC, Conspiracy, 25850(c)(3) PC, Active Gang Participant in Possession of a Firearm, and 3056 PC, Violation of Parole.  Lanatti was transported to Petaluma Valley Hospital for a medical clearance and later booked into Sonoma County Jail for the above violations.
 
The semi-automatic firearm Lanatti was in possession of was determined to be loaded and have a live round in the chamber.  A search of Lanatti also revealed he was in possession of a knife. 
 
The officer who was punched by Lanatti sustained a facial injury as well as a fractured hand as a result of defending themselves against Lanatti’s physical attack and during the officer’s attempt to overcome Lanatti’s resistance while taking him into custody. The officer was later treated and released from Petaluma Valley Hospital.
 
For a period of time the northbound lanes of Lakeville Street were temporarily blocked, and traffic was diverted from the area.  This investigation is still active as officers attempt to identify and locate the outstanding suspect(s) and any other involved subjects who may have fled the area.  It is unknown at this time if this incident is gang related.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Petaluma Police Department at 778-4372.