Petaluma police seek man who failed to register as sex offender

Anyone who spots the man, often seen riding a bicycle, is asked to call police.|

A convicted sex offender wanted for alleged drug and weapon offenses evaded Petaluma police Wednesday afternoon after they received a tip on his whereabouts.

Thomas Steger, a 45-year-old transient, was thought to be hiding in a crawl space above the ceiling of a business at in the 900 block of Lakeville Street in the Gateway Shopping Center, Petaluma police said in a statement. Law enforcement failed to locate him when they searched the building with help of a police dog around 2 p.m.

Steger has six Sonoma County Superior Court warrants out for his arrest on the suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of narcotics and being under the influence of a controlled substance, police said.

It is unknown if Steger uses a vehicle but he is often seen riding a bicycle, police said.

Anyone who sees Steger is asked to call the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372.

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