Man Stops For Gas In Wine Country, Leaves In Handcuffs: Police

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A Petaluma man suspected of stealing a car in San Rafael was arrested after stopping in Healdsburg for gas.

Healdsburg police arrested Juan Munozramirez, a 30-year-old resident of Petaluma, on Monday night after they spotted a red sedan that had been reported stolen in San Rafael, a spokesman said in a social media post.

Officers were nearby patrolling the area along Healdsburg Avenue near Dry Creek Road near Big John's Market, when they spotted an unoccupied vehicle at the Healdsburg Gas Mart.

One of the officers recognized the vehicle from a description and confirmed the match with a car stolen in San Rafael.

Munozramirez started walking away from the car, but witnesses said he drove it into the gas station shortly before officers arrived, police said.

Munozramirez could not explain during questioning why he was carrying the vehicle’s key fob, according to police.

Police arrested Munozramirez on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle.

He was taken to the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.