Man arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft for second time in recent weeks
Originally published 5-1-21 via Nixle
by the Petaluma Police Department:
“On 05/01/2021 the Petaluma Police Department was called by residents of the “Southgate” residential area regarding a red Toyota Sienna that was driving recklessly through the neighborhood. While officers were checking the neighborhood, a victim contacted one of the officers and stated that his vehicle had just been stolen from Lakeville Circle and described the vehicle that was reported as driving reckless through the neighborhood.
Nearby residents told officers they believed the vehicle was still in the neighborhood. Shortly after, an officer located the vehicle and discovered it was unoccupied. Nearby residents were contacted, and video surveillance was obtained that showed the suspect leaving the vehicle and fleeing the area on foot.
Petaluma officers canvassed nearby neighborhoods and an officer located a subject that matched the description that was seen on video surveillance. The subject, who was identified as Benjamin Padgett was detained and ultimately identified by a witness. After being interviewed and identified as the suspect, he was arrested for vehicle theft. It was discovered that Padgett had been recently arrested for the same crime.
Padgett was transported to the Sonoma County Jail where he was booked for 10851 CVC- Vehicle Theft. Petaluma officers were able to reunite the vehicle with the owner on scene.
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the alert citizens for their assistance during the incident.”
