Sonoma Police: DUI suspect shreds tires, has trunk full of bottles

Sonoma police responded to a report of a broken down vehicle and potential DUI at the intersection of Fifth Street West and Napa Street at 11:35 a.m. on Feb. 6, according to Sgt. Scott McKinnon.

A witness allegedly saw the driver of the vehicle move a 1.75-liter bottle of Smirnoff vodka from the front cabin of the car to the trunk, McKinnon said. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle’s driver’s side tires were “completely shredded,” and the trunk of the vehicle held numerous bottles of alcohol.

The driver told police he had popped the tires a few blocks away. Deputies smelled alcohol coming from the man and initiated a Breathalyzer test, which showed a blood alcohol content of 0.27 — over three times the legal limit.

Based on their investigation, deputies placed the suspect under arrest for misdemeanor DUI.

Coin theft

A Sonoma man realized his order of rare, expensive coinage was missing a $2,086 Gold British Brittania and reported it to Sonoma police on Feb. 4, McKinnon said.

The victim purchased three sets of coins for $4,900, which included two 1-ounce American Gold Eagle coins and 10 1-ounce 2023 American Silver Eagle coins. His wife signed for the purchase when the package arrived, but it was a few days before the victim returned from a trip and noticed the missing items.

The investigation is being handled by the company who shipped the coins, McKinnon said.

Stolen car

As a Sonoma man left his home at 5 p.m. on Feb. 6, he found his beige 2004 Toyota Landcruiser was missing from its parking place on the 700 block Palou Street, McKinnon said.

Another vehicle also parked nearby was “rummaged through,” however, nothing was stolen from that car from what the victim could tell, McKinnon said.

No video surveillance was available, so Sonoma police called for a Be On the Lookout for the stolen vehicle to neighboring law enforcement agencies, McKinnon said.

Contact Chase Hunter at chase.hunter@sonomanews.com and follow @Chase_HunterB on Twitter.