Rohnert Park Man Arrested On Warrant For Lewd Behavior Toward Child

PETALUMA, CA — A Rohnert Park man who works as a contract employee for Petaluma Transit as a bus driver was arrested this week on suspicion of annoying or molesting a child younger than 16, the Petaluma Police Department said.

Following an investigation into the allegations of lewd behavior by 41-year-old Lloyd Robinson, Petaluma detectives believed they had probable cause for his arrest and obtained a warrant.

Around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to North McDowell Boulevard in Petaluma where they planned to take Robinson into custody on the warrant. As they arrived, they learned Robinson may have left the building where he was last known to be.

A perimeter was set up and as the area was being searched, officers learned Robinson may be hiding in a nearby fast-food restaurant also located on North McDowell.

Other police units responded to the restaurant and, based on the information received, felt Robinson was barricaded inside. The restaurant was evacuated to allow officers to search the building. Police also issued a Nixle alert instructing the public to avoid the area of North McDowell Boulevard and Rainier Avenue because of the police activity.

The Petaluma Police Department’s Crisis Response Unit was activated and the building was searched but Robinson was not there.

Shortly thereafter, police learned he was hiding in the building where they first searched for him. Officers contacted Robinson via cell phone and he surrendered without incident.

At 3:49 p.m., Petaluma PD issued another Nixle alert letting the public know the police activity was over.

Robinson was arrested on the warrant for suspected annoying/molesting a child and was booked into Sonoma County jail.

Although records indicated Robinson has since been released from jail, police said the investigation was still active and urged anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Boyd at 707-778-4334 or send an email to ppdtips@cityofpetaluma.org.