Sonoma police: Liquor thefts for the ‘thrill’ of it

As happy hour approached on Friday July 2, Sonoma police responded to a petty theft at Sonoma Market in the 500 block of West Napa Street. A 43-year-old San Francisco resident reportedly tried to steal three bottles of alcohol worth $300 around 5 p.m. The would-be thief said he did it for the thrill, and was subsequently cited and released.

In other incidents reported recently to Valley law enforcement:

Saturday, July 3:

10:54 a.m. – A disagreement between two men in the 400 block of Arbor Avenue went south when one of the would-be pugilists reportedly punched the other in the face resulting in an injury to the victim’s face. Deputies forwarded a report to the district attorney for review.

Monday, July 5:

7:04 a.m. – Deputies responded to a domestic violence incident in the 18000 block of Highway 12. The victim reportedly was assaulted by her boyfriend. The 23-year-old boyfriend was arrested and was transported to the county jail.

4:12 p.m. – Catalytic converter thieves struck again, this time on a Honda Accord parked in the 100 block of West Agua Caliente Road. Estimated damage was $1,600.

7:57 p.m. – Deputies were sent to a physical altercation in the 18000 block of Highway 12. When they arrived, deputies found the victim had reportedly been punched by the suspect – who also threatened to kill him. The victim signed a citizens’ arrest for battery. In addition to the battery charge, the suspect was also arrested on charges of making death threats and an outstanding warrant.

Tuesday, July 6:

12:04 p.m. – A resident in the 23000 block of Arnold Drive reported that unknown persons cut the catalytic converter from their Toyota. There’s no suspect information.

Thursday, July 8:

1:08 p.m. – The manager of a business in the 19000 block of Highway 12 reported that a transient who had visited the business in the past threatened to rape and kill the woman after she told him to leave. Police searched for the man but couldn’t find him. Several hours later, he walked by the business and the manager again called the police, and this time they found him several businesses away. The 44-year-old Tampa, Florida, resident was arrested and charged with felony making criminal threats.

2:30 p.m. – An unknown person vandalized a Jaguar in the 300 block of Greene Street in Kenwood. The damage was estimated at $4,500.

10:02 p.m. – A 71-year-old Sonoma man was charged with driving under the influence and resisting arrest after apparently backing into a truck in the 100 block of West Napa Street. The motorist apparently tried to leave the scene, but police arrived. While chatting with the man, officers decided he was showing signs of impairment. They administered field sobriety tests and a preliminary alcohol screening where the man reportedly blew a .204. While they were trying to cuff the man, he refused to take his hands out of his pockets, thus earning a charge of resisting in addition to driving under the influence. He refused to take a breath test at the police department, so he was hauled off to jail where they did a blood draw.

Friday, July 9:

6:18 p.m. – A would-be shoplifter at Sonoma Market, in the 500 block of West Napa, got into a fight with a loss-prevention officer while trying to steal some alcohol and proceeded to lead police on a foot chase. Police pursued the man over fences and through yards in the neighborhood around the store. Henry-1, the sheriff’s helicopter, was also called to help locate the fleeing thief. After he hopped numerous fences and ran through several back yards, the police caught him – although it took a Taser to stop him. Even then, he reportedly fought with multiple officers who were trying to subdue him. The 43-year-old Sonoma resident was arrested on charges of felony robbery and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Saturday, July 10:

11:23 p.m. – An unknown suspect vandalized a laundry room in the 18000 block of Highway 12. There is no suspect information nor damage estimate.

Sunday, July 11:

6:52 p.m. – Smash-and-grab thieves broke a passenger window in a vehicle in the 13000 block of Highway 12. They made off with the victim’s purse, which contained gift cards. The purse and gift cards were worth $65 while the broken window was estimated to cost $450 to replace. There is no suspect information.