Transient Steals Truck, Victim's Dog; Leads Cops On Chase: PD

PETALUMA, CA — A transient is accused of stealing a car from Petaluma and driving off with the victim's dog still inside the car.

A community member called police shortly after 7:30 Friday night and reported that someone had just stolen his truck. The victim gave a description of his truck and told police his dog was still inside the truck.

After multiple Petaluma police officers searched the area but did not find the truck, a countywide BOLO — be on the lookout— alert was broadcast to neighboring agencies to notify them of the situation.

Around 8:05 p.m., a Santa Rosa police officer spotted the stolen truck heading northbound on U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Rosa and tried to pull it over. The suspect did not stop and a pursuit ensued.

Eventually, the suspect led officers onto southbound U.S. 101 to Petaluma where a Petaluma police officer was waiting with a spike strip. The officer threw the spike strip in front of the moving truck and successfully punctured the tires, causing them to deflate, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said.

Shortly thereafter, the suspect stopped the truck on southbound U.S. 101 just south of the Old Redwood Highway overpass and surrendered to officers.

The suspect, identified by police as Michael Carter Bailey, a 50-year-old Petaluma transient, was safely taken into custody. He was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, felony probation violation and evading a peace officer.

"The victim’s dog was returned to him unharmed, along with his vehicle," Suhrke said.

As for Bailey, he remained in custody Monday with his bail set at $42,500. He was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning.