Same White Van Used In Burglaries At 3 Petaluma Businesses, Police Say

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Police Department is investigating a series of commercial burglaries reported Friday in which the suspects drove a white van.

All three break-ins were carried out within a span of 46 minutes Friday morning.

The first was reported at 4:50 a.m. when an alarm was activated at a business on Holm Road. Officers responded within minutes and found damage to a roll-up door used for shipping and receiving.

The business was not yet open but a representative responded and confirmed power tools were missing.

The investigation revealed at least two suspects accessed the building by ramming a white Ford Econoline van into the door.

At 5:16 a.m., an alarm was activated at a similar business on Lindberg Lane. Officers immediately responded and found significant damage to the shipping-and-receiving door.

The business confirmed power tools and contractor equipment were stolen.

"The investigation showed what appeared to be the same Ford Econoline van being driven into the roll-up garage door," acting Petaluma police Sgt. Art Farinha said. "It also showed what appeared to be the same suspects entering the store and leaving in the van."

A third call from a security alarm company came at 5:36 a.m., this time from a business on Lakeville Highway. The front doors to the business were forced open and the investigation again showed what appeared to be the same Ford Econoline van and the same suspects entering the business, Farinha said.

The business confirmed a storage cabinet was forced open and power tools were taken. A large quantity of contractor apparel was also missing, Farinha said.

Petaluma police were actively investigating all three incidents.

The burglaries were all in close proximity to U.S. Highway 101 or Highway 116 and the suspects appeared to travel south, then east.