Man In Stolen Semi-Truck Leads Cops On Slow-Speed Chase: PPD

PETALUMA, CA — A man is accused of leading Petaluma police officers on a nearly 3-mile chase in a stolen big rig.

The pursuit started around 9:30 p.m. Thursday when officers were dispatched to North McDowell Boulevard and Professional Drive to investigate a report of a stolen semi-truck with a 40-foot trailer attached to it.

As officers responded, they saw the semi-truck traveling northbound on N. McDowell at Transport Way. Officers initiated a traffic stop but the driver, later identified as 41-year-old Glenn Hopkins of San Francisco, accelerated to approximately 30-35 mph.

As he sped up, Hopkins appeared to have difficulty controlling the large truck and was weaving over the entire roadway, striking the center median as he traveled, posing a significant public safety concern, Petaluma police Lt. Matthew Parnow said.

Traveling eastbound on Corona Road, Hopkins ran over the curb and sidewalk. At the roundabout on Corona Road, he hit a tree and then a road sign, Parnow said.

Hopkins traveled southbound on Sonoma Mountain Parkway at approximately 30-35 mph then turned onto Colombard Road where he surrendered to law enforcement.

Parnow said Hopkins was later booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading of a police officer with wanton disregard for safety, and misdemeanor hit and run causing property damage.