Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Criminal Threats, and Brandishing a Firearm
Photo: confiscated guns
Originally published as a Petaluma Police Department Facebook post –
“On September 13, 2021, the Petaluma Police Department received a 911 call of two subjects in a physical altercation at the intersection of West Street at Kentucky Street. The reporting party advised one of the subjects was in possession of a firearm.
Several Petaluma Police Officers arrived on-scene, and the subject matching the description with the firearm fled inside a nearby residence. The other involved party was cooperative with Officers and was escorted away from the scene to provide a statement and receive a medical evaluation. The victim confirmed the altercation with Richard Crandall (67) of Petaluma and stated Crandall threatened to kill him with the firearm in his possession. The victim stated that Crandall inserted the magazine into the firearm, loaded it, and pointed it at the victim.
Petaluma Police Officers negotiated with Crandall to exit his residence, and Crandall eventually complied without the use of any force. Once outside the residence, Crandall was cooperative with the investigation; however, he was not in possession of the firearm and declined to say where the firearm was located. The Petaluma Police Department Investigations Unit obtained a search warrant for Crandall’s residence and recovered numerous firearms, including an assault rifle and a high-capacity magazine.
Crandall was subsequently arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Criminal Threats, and Brandishing a Firearm.
This incident illustrates why the Petaluma Police Department ensures its staff is trained in de-escalation tactics and tactical communication. The Petaluma Police Department wants to thank the community members for immediately calling 911 to report this incident.”
