Suspected car thief arrested in Petaluma

Petaluma police arrested an 18-year-old Santa Rosa man on suspicion of stealing a car, being drunk and resisting arrest.

Carlos G. Ayala was taken into custody late Friday night in the 900 block of Bantam Way. He remained in custody Sunday morning on $10,000 bail.

Lt. Tim Lyons said officers responding to a noise complaint found Ayala and his girlfriend outside a black Volkswagen Bug parked on the street.

Ayala became uncooperative and tried to walk back to the vehicle, Lyons said. An officer held him until other officers arrived, he said.

The vehicle was found to have been reported stolen in Santa Rosa, with Ayala as a possible suspect, Lyons said.

Ayala was determined to be drunk and was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital, then Sonoma County Jail.

He faces a felony count of auto theft and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and being drunk in public.