Crime & Safety
Thief Nabbed During Midnight Burglary
Spotted by undercover police officers conducting a separate investigation in Safeway parking lot
A Petaluma man was arrested Saturday night after he smashed the window of a car parked in the Roohnert Park Safeway parking lot and steal a purse and other property.
John Ware, 42, was spotted by undercover Rohnert Park police officers sitting in an unmarked car in the Safeway parking lot. The officers were conducting a "Shoulder Tap Operation" aimed at apprehending people who purchase alcohol for minors.
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Police followed Ware as he left the parking lot, prompting him to accelerate. He realized he was being followed and swerved across three lanes of traffic on Highway 101 in an attempt to evade officers. Officers contacted other units who were able to stop Ware on Santa Rosa Avenue and arrest him without incident.
Ware was charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools and taken to Sonoma County Jail.
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