Target Thief Flees Out Fire Escape, Finds Cops Waiting For Him: Petaluma Police

PETALUMA, CA — A man who stole over $900 in medications from a Petaluma Target and then tried to flee out the fire escape door found police waiting for him on the other side, authorities said.

James Johnson, 32, of Santa Maria, was detained and later booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of theft with priors and possession of a controlled substance, according to police.

Authorities received a report around 1:30 p.m. Saturday about a man hiding over-the-counter medications in a black duffel bag at the store, police said, adding that Johnson tried to throw the bag into a nearby dumpster when caught.

In addition to the hundreds of dollars in stolen medications, he also had 15 grams of suspected fentanyl, according to police, who said Johson had at least two prior convictions for theft-related offenses.