Petaluma Police Nab Alleged Car Thief, Home Burglar

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A suspect who fled after being found at Park West Casino in Petaluma now stands accused of both car theft and home burglary after evidence was found both at his residence and in a stolen vehicle he was in possession of.

Petaluma Police say that on the morning of Feb. 8, the Department’s abandoned vehicle abatement officer located a stolen Acura sedan parked at Park West Casino on the 5100 block of Montero Way in Petaluma through the use of an automated license plate reader. The Acura had been stolen from a home on Flanigan Way in Petaluma that had been burglarized in mid-January 2017.

Petaluma officers established a perimeter and waited for the Acura to leave the casino. Once it did, officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver -- later identified as Darrell James Durran, 48, of Petaluma -- led them on a short pursuit from the casino into the business park on North McDowell Extension.

The pursuit was discontinued due to officers losing sight of Durran, foul weather conditions, and Durran’s high speed and reckless driving.

Another perimeter was established covering the business park and a search was conducted for the Acura. Durran and the Acura were both located on the 400 block of Ely Road, and Durran was arrested without further incident.

Police say a search of the Acura led to the discovery of evidence from several other residential burglaries. When detectives executed a search warrant at Durran’s residence on the evening of Feb. 8, additional evidence was seized.

Durran has been booked at Sonoma County Jail with bail set at $200,000.

Image via Petaluma Police