Petaluma police dog helps locate shoplifting suspect

The suspect had fled from the Kohl’s department store Wednesday.|

Petaluma police officers with help from their canine unit on Wednesday arrested a shoplifting suspect who fled from the Kohl’s department store.

Shane Stieper, 32, of Sonoma, was arrested on charges of resisting a police officer; commercial burglary and violation of probation.

Stieper fled from the store after Kohl’s employees tried to stop him when he allegedly stole some merchandise, police said.

He ran through a nearby business park and into a field. Officers then followed Stieper from Redwood Way southbound along the railroad tracks to Corona Road, where he went into a heavily wooded creek, police said.

Officers established a perimeter around the area and their police dog, named Basko, located Stieper hiding completely submerged in the creek. He was arrested without incident.

Police said Stieper was on probation for three separate drug offenses.

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