Video Shows Man Stealing Car He Used For Vandalism Spree: Petaluma Police

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police arrested a man they say stole a car from a parking garage, drove it while he vandalized property, and then parked it on the street.

The owner reported that her car had been taken from an assigned parking space on Monday.

Police used fingerprints from the vehicle and surveillance camera footage from the apartment complex to identify the suspect as Garrett Stauss, 37. Police said he lived in the same complex as the car's owner.

Investigators said the suspect used a spare key taken from another family member’s vehicle.

He was seen returning the stolen vehicle on Monday and parking it across the street before leaving the area, according to police.

When the officers found the car, the side doors were damaged, and the license plate had been altered.

Petaluma Police officers coordinated with Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies, who were investigating Stauss for vandalism, saying he committed the act while in possession of the stolen vehicle.

Police arrested Straus and found the victim’s key FOB and additional stolen property while searching his home.

Stauss was booked into the Sonoma County jail on charges related to vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

Police encouraged business and property owners to register their surveillance cameras with Petaluma's Security Camera Registry Program cityofpetaluma.org/cameraregistration.