CRIME & SAFETY
Elderly Petaluma man gets life in prison for molesting child family member
A 78-year-old man was sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison on Tuesday for molesting a child numerous times, Sonoma County prosecutors said. Petaluma resident Brian Douglas Schmitt Sr. was found guilty of four felony sex offenses committed against a child following a jury trial in January, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. Based on evidence and testimony presented at the trial, Schmitt was a trusted member of the victim's family and would regularly spend time with the victim until the abuse was disclosed in July 2022. Following the victim's disclosure of abuse and...
Vallejo deputy police chief leaves department effective immediately
Deputy Chief Joseph Gomez is no longer employed with the Vallejo Police Department after just nine months in the position, Open Vallejo has learned. Gomez’s departure took members of the department by surprise, according to sources with knowledge of the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal personnel matters. Although the circumstances of his separation from the city were not immediately clear, a department-wide email sent to police employees on Wednesday stated that Gomez had been separated from the department effective immediately.
Man's death in Vallejo now being investigated as homicide
The death of a man found earlier this month in Vallejo has been ruled the city's fifth homicide of the year, police said Wednesday. On March 16, officers were called to the 2000 block of Garnet Circle at about 12:21 p.m., where they discovered a deceased man. Though the investigation was originally being carried out by the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force, Vallejo detectives took over the case. The man's identity is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin, police said. Anyone who may have information helpful to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Jordan Patzer at (707) 648-4278 or at Jordon.Patzer@cityofvallejo.net.
Man cuts down Richmond telephone lines, causes $20K in damage
(KRON) — A man suspected of causing $20,000 in damage by cutting down telephone wires in broad daylight earlier this week was arrested, the Richmond Police Department announced Wednesday. Richmond officers responded to the 1200 block of Castro Ranch Road on the report of a wire theft in progress....
Woman arrested after allegedly setting Novato house on fire
On March 24, 2024, around 4:30 PM, the Novato Fire Protection District and the Novato Police Department responded to a report of a person who lit a house on fire on Alameda De La Loma and was leaving the scene. After searching the area, a woman was located matching the...
Lost dog in the mall befriends cops, then reunited with owner
On March 20 at 9:45 p.m., the San Rafael’s finest responded to a call about a little dog found loose at the Northgate One shopping center in Terra Linda. No call (or dog) is too small for police attention. Police took possession of the fluffy little critter and asked for help finding the owner. Later, the little guy was reunited with his owner.
Vallejo assault ruled a homicide after victim dies from injuries
(KRON) — An investigation into an assault in Vallejo turned into a homicide investigation when the victim died Tuesday from his injuries, Vallejo police said. The assault happened on March 15 around 11:58 a.m. Police responded to reports of assault with a deadly weapon near the intersection of Lemon Street and Derr Street. The victim, […]
San Francisco Man with Felony Warrants Arrested in Violent Tiburon Dispute, Narcotics Found
Trouble in Tiburon took a turn for the worse when a knife-wielding San Francisco man, already on the hook for multiple felonies, was nabbed by the cops after a 911 call reported a dangerous dispute in a vehicle early last Sunday. The Tiburon Police Department, quick on the draw after the alarming call, encountered more than just a heated argument – they found narcotics and paraphernalia, along with the suspect trying to pull a fast one with a fake ID.
Petaluma PD conducts abandoned vehicle sweep, tows 7 cars
(KRON) – The Petaluma Police Department announced the results of its Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Sweep initiative. According to Petaluma PD, the department has noticed an increase in parking issues and revised parking ordinances addressing street parking of boats, RVs, and trailers. This prompted the initiative. The results of the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Sweep operation included: […]
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