Police: Petaluma man attempts to steal semi-truck

Police arrested 31-year-old Justin Mattos before he could drive away with a semi-truck that belonged to a local business.|

A Petaluma man’s attempt to steal a semi-truck was thwarted by Petaluma Police Thursday, following a brief foot chase, officials said.

At approximately 5:05 p.m., police responded to a disturbance call reported at a business in the 400 block of Payran Street. According to a press release, the reporting party claimed a man had entered the business and taken keys for one of its trucks.

Officers discovered Justin Mattos, 31, attempting to drive off in a semi-truck, even though the brakes had been disabled, police said.

With the attached trailer dragging behind, Mattos drove the semi-truck a short distance before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Officers arrived as Mattos was exiting the vehicle and quickly took him into custody without incident, police said.

Mattos was charged with felony vehicle theft and booked into custody at Sonoma County Jail.

(Contact News Editor Yousef Baig at yousef.baig@arguscourier.com or 776-8461, and on Twitter @YousefBaig.)

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