The Petaluma Police Department (PPD) is adeptly using social media and soliciting public support to capture suspects in two recent robberies. Current press releases from PPD show video captures and photographs of robbery suspects.
On Saturday May 9, shortly after 4 am, an unknown suspect forced open the front doors of the Rent-A-Center at 287 North McDowell Boulevard. The thief took two large flat screen televisions and cash from the business.
Video surveillance in the area recorded the suspect pushing one of the large televisions from the business. Investigators are hoping that by releasing these photos to the media that the suspect will be identified and more quickly apprehended. Anyone with information about this particular incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Ed Crosby at 707-778-4415. Please refer to case number 15-2713
Two men assaulted and robbed the clerk at this Texaco.
In another incident on Monday, May 11 at approximately 1 pm, officers responded to a robbery at the Texaco Gas Station at 421 Petaluma Boulevard South. Officers arrived within three minutes of the call and contacted the victim employee.
The clerk described the two suspects. One was a white male approximately 20 to 30 years old, last seen wearing a white plaid button up flannel shirt, light Khaki shorts, and a black hat. The second suspect was described as an Asian male approximately 20 to 30 years old, last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with white squares on the hood and shoulders, black cargo shorts and black shoes.
Surveillance video shows the two suspects assaulting the woman behind the counter.
The suspects had entered the store and went behind the counter to where the clerk was sitting. The second suspect attempted to restrain the clerk. As she struggled, both suspects took articles of merchandise and left the store in an unknown direction. The clerk was not injured during the struggle. She did not see either suspect with a weapon. The suspects in the store, and ultimately going behind the counter and assaulting the woman, was caught from multiple angles in store surveillance video and has been posted on YouTube by Detective Nick McGowan. The PPD is also seeking help from the public in this case to help identify the suspects. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Detective McGowan at 707-778-4373 and refer to the Texaco Robbery.
