Petaluma Police: Man arrested after leading multi-agency pursuit, ramming patrol car
A man was recently arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and evading after leading deputies on a pursuit, according to Petaluma police.
Police received word that Marin County authorities were pursuing a vehicle on northbound Highway 101 toward Petaluma. The man driving the vehicle — later identified as 30-year-old William Rodas-Diaz of San Rafael — had initially been contacted regarding an alleged domestic disturbance, which had ultimately escalated to a police pursuit, police said.
A Sonoma County deputy took over the pursuit once Rodas-Diaz crossed the county line, taking the East Washington Street exit and continuing westbound. A Petaluma police officer joined the pursuit and, together, officer and deputy pursued Rodas-Diaz to Bantam Way and Rebecca Drive, where Rodas-Diaz reportedly U-turned and struck the officers patrol vehicle head-on, twice, at around 25 MPH, police said.
Backup units were able to prevent Rodas-Diaz from fleeing the scene in his vehicle, and he was shortly thereafter taken into custody without further incident. He was later booked at the Sonoma County jail.
