Police: Petaluma vehicle theft leads to high-speed chase through neighborhood, arrest

The Petaluma man allegedly stole the vehicle as it was warming up in an east side driveway.|

A Petaluma man who allegedly stole a vehicle as it was warming up in an east Petaluma driveway was arrested after leading officers on a high-speed chase through a neighborhood, police said.

A resident in the 400 block of Stuart Drive contacted police at 7:07 a.m. to report their Audi SUV was stolen as it was running in their driveway, Petaluma police said in a news release.

Shortly after the incident, an officer spotted the missing vehicle on the Ely Boulevard South extension. Police chased the driver for about five miles as he reached maximum speeds of 70 mph through a residential neighborhood, Sgt. Lance Novello said. The driver then ditched the car to flee on foot through La Tercera Elementary School, Novello said.

The man, identified as 27-year-old Petaluma resident Robert Moore, was taken into custody as he walked away from the campus, police said. The school was not placed on lock down due to the time of day and the quick time frame for the arrest, Novello said.

Described by police as a “prolific Petaluma criminal” Moore was allegedly in possession of burglary tools, heroin and related paraphernalia as well as property belonging to the owner of the stolen car. Moore also had several arrest warrants and prior convictions for vehicle theft, police said.

The vehicle was not damaged, Novello said.

Moore was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of reckless evasion, vehicle theft with prior convictions, possessing burglary tools and controlled substances and for the warrants.

As incidents of theft of unoccupied vehicles left warming up in streets or driveways increase during the winter, police are urging residents to be aware and safeguard their vehicles from potential thieves. Precautions include locking the vehicle, remaining in the vehicle as it warms up or keeping it in sight or covering the windows to prevent frost.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.