Police: Petaluma officer dodges accelerating car

A Petaluma police officer reportedly had to quickly move out of the way to avoid being hit by a sports car as it accelerated away from law enforcement earlier this month, and investigators are asking the public for help to track down the people involved.

Responding to a reported disturbance, an officer contacted a man and a woman in a silver Audi four-door sports car at 11:31 p.m. on Sept. 2, according to the Petaluma Police Department. The woman behind the wheel reportedly told the officer “We have to go,” and then “suddenly accelerated” away from the officer.

A backup officer had recently arrived and was exiting her patrol car as the Audi drove in her direction, allegedly requiring the officer to move behind her vehicle to avoid being struck, according to police. The Audi then drove down Payran Street at high speed, and officers did not pursue out of concern for public safety.

The incident followed an attempt by officers earlier that evening to respond to an alleged domestic violence incident involving the same duo of suspects at the 7-Eleven store on Perry Lane.

Police described the driver as a black woman between 35 and 40 years old and between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches tall. She was believed to have been wearing a wig at the time of the 7-Eleven incident. The male passenger was described as a black male adult between 25 and 30 years old and between 5 feet, 5 inches and 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with a thin build and wearing a white tank top, baggy blue jeans, red shoes and a red hat.

Police obtained video depicting the incident on Sept. 6, and have been able to enhance images of the woman. An image of the male suspect remains pixelated.

Those with information about the incident are asked to contact Petaluma police at 707-778-4372.

(Contact Eric Gneckow at eric.gneckow@arguscourier.com. On Twitter @Eric_Reports)