Corner of Washington & Howard, Petaluma | Google Maps
PETALUMA – According to an advisory message issued by the Petaluma Police Department, PPD Officers had been dispatched to the scene of a call at the Shell Gas Station on the corner of Howard Street and Washington Street just after 1pm.
The reporting party said that a man that appeared to be intoxicated was challenging people in the area to fight. The suspect had also reportedly thrown a bicycle at a vehicle.
The first responding officer located a shirtless man matching the description of the suspect.
The man was armed with a double bladed knife that was approximately 9 inches in length. The suspect walked away from the officer while swinging the knife at his side. The officer commanded the suspect to drop the knife but the man failed to comply.
Because there were several bystanders and vehicle traffic in close proximity the Officer deployed a taser on the suspect in the interest of public safety.
The taser had no effect on the suspect. Officers continued to give the suspect verbal commands in English and in Spanish but the man continued walking south on Howard Street away from the Officers towards St. Vincent’s Church in downtown Petaluma.
Officers continued to warn bystanders standing outside of St. Vincent’s Church to move out of the way. Two other PPD Officers arrived on scene and shortly thereafter also deployed their tasers as well.
The suspect cut the taser wires with the knife he was holding and remained noncompliant. The officers used great restraint and continued to negotiate with the subject to disarm himself but he still refused.
A fourth taser was deployed which finally subdued the suspect. Officers then were able to get the knife away from the suspect and take him into custody.
The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Jonathan Humberto Maldonado-Sandoval of Petaluma. He was arrested and transported to Petaluma Valley Hospital for medical clearance before being booked into Sonoma County Jail. Sandoval was found to be on active probation.
He faces a felony charge of brandishing a deadly weapon. He also is charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest.
