Petaluman Tasered, Arrested After Suspected Theft at Safeway

A Petaluma man went to jail early Saturday morning and faces serious charges of assaulting a police officer.

A Petaluma officer noticed Armando Rafael Afre, 42, of Petaluma, driving south in a northbound lane of South McDowell Blvd, near Baywood drive, without his headlights on. When the officer attempted to stop the black Dodge Neon that Afre drove, around 4:10 a.m., police say that he failed to stop.

Afre led the officer on a short pursuit, reaching speed below 30 miles per hour according to police, and stopped at the corner of Beechwood Drive and Conifer Lane.

Police say that Afre failed to comply with the officer's commands and exited his vehicle. 

"Afre became physically combative with the officer," a Petaluma police press release stated. "Officers ultimately had to use a Taser and impact weapons to gain control of Afre. During the confrontation with Afre the officer received minor injuries."

Officers later determined that Afre had allegedly stolen several items from Safeway prior to the initial traffic stop.

Afre was arrested on suspicion of evading an officer, resisting arrest, batter on a police officer, burglary and driving with a suspended license. His bail is set at $15,000.

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