Petaluma chase leads to parole violation arrest

Petaluma police arrested a convicted auto thief Saturday night after he allegedly led police on a pursuit in another stolen vehicle.

Joel Joseph Silva, 31, of Petaluma drove off when an officer tried to stop him on Lakeville Highway near Frates Road about 5 p.m. for an unnamed traffic violation, police said.

The 1973 gray GMC pick-up he was driving was stolen, Sgt. Marty Frye said.

Police chased Silva for about two miles until he crashed trying to make a U-turn near St. Francis Drive and South McDowell Boulevard. Silva then got out and ran away, police said.

Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies, the county helicopter and CHP officers assisted in searching yards in a residential neighborhood with the assistance of a Petaluma police search dog.

Silva was found in a residence in the 1300 block of St. Anthony Lane.

He was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evading a peace officer, resisting arrest and a violation of parole. He was out on parole for a prior vehicle theft conviction, Frye said.

Silva was being held without bail because of the alleged parole violation.