Woman Arrested For Attempted Machete Attack In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA — A woman was arrested in Novato after trying to attack a man with a machete in Petaluma, authorities said Saturday.

The woman, later identified as Heather Doyle, a 50-year-old Petaluma resident, armed herself with a machete and chased the victim inside a residence at 4:22 p.m. Thursday in the 700 block of Marin Way in Petaluma, according to the Petaluma Police Department.

"It was further reported that the victim had barricaded himself in a nearby room, which Doyle allegedly hacked at and was able to make entry," police said in a news release. "Doyle then allegedly attempted to assault the victim with the machete, but no contact was made."

After a brief confrontation, Doyle fled the room, but it was unknown if she had left the residence because the victim was still barricaded inside, police said. Officers surrounded the home, and evacuated the victim and a second uninvolved resident. Police determined Doyle was no longer inside.

Officers believed she may have fled to Novato and notified the Novato Police Department. Police officers in Novato found Doyle's vehicle and took her into custody.

Doyle was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

No injuries were reported. Police recovered the weapon.