Transients Deny Stealing Car: One Says She Was Just Resting in it

A stolen Petaluma car was returned to its owner a day after being taken, and two transients were arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

Petaluma Police say the car, a 1989 Toyota Corolla, was stolen Tuesday from a parking lot at 30 East Washington St. The next morning, an officer saw a woman sitting inside the car and a man on a bicycle speaking to her at First and E streets.

The man on the bicycle tried to flee, but was caught by police, according to a press release.

The pair, 41-year-old Shannon R. Gallagher and 35-year-old Luke V. Lafranchi, were arrested on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle. Gallagher was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia; police say she also had two warrants out for her arrest. Lafranchi was charged with resisting arrest.

"Both suspects denied stealing the vehicle," the Petaluma Police Department press release stated. "Suspect Gallagher said she was walking down the street and noticed the car door was open and because she was tired, she decided to place her belongings in the rear seat."

--
Sign up for the free Petaluma Patch newsletter | Like Petaluma Patch on Facebook | Follow @PetalumaPatch on Twitter | Blog for Petaluma Patch