K&B Motorsports in Petaluma | Google Maps
PETALUMA – According to a community advisory issued by the Petaluma Police Department (PPD) just before 10pm on June 19th, Sunday evening, PPD Officers responded to a citizen who reported seeing a large U-Haul truck back up into the side of K&B Motorsports in the 300 block of Petaluma Blvd North.
The burglars then fled with the ramp to the cargo area still dragging on the road. The citizen also noted that the glass windows of the business were shattered and believed that merchandise from the business had been loaded into the truck. The U-Haul was last seen turning westbound on Oak Street from Petaluma Blvd. North.
PPD Officers arrived in the area within moments and began to search the surrounding area and likely escape routes. A short time later, PPD 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. The driver of the U-Haul did not yield and accelerated leading officers on a pursuit.
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 southbound. 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 officers.
PPD Officers pursued the vehicle on US Hwy 101 until they reached the Nave Drive interchange in Novato. At Nave Drive, several units from the California Highway Patrol joined and took control of the pursuit. At the Freitas Parkway interchange in San Rafael, all PPD units terminated their involvement in the pursuit and turned over all control to the California Highway Patrol.
PPD 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 CHP helicopter H30 lost sight of the suspect vehicle in the area of 13th 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 Tuesday, 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.
