Yesterday, an alert citizen made a 911 call to the Petaluma Police Dispatch Center, reporting a possible drunk driver at a local Jack In The Box. The quick thinking of the caller eventually led to the arrest of Tammy Miniaci-Pheifer and the recovery of a stolen vehicle, according to Petaluma Police Department.
As officers arrived at the scene, they found Miniaci-Pheifer with the reported vehicle, a white work truck with a company name imprinted on the door. The suspect was unable to provide a sensible explanation for driving the vehicle, and further investigation revealed the owner of the company did not know her or give her permission to use the truck. Officers determined Miniaci-Pheifer had stolen the vehicle in the city of Novato prior to the incident in Petaluma, according to the Petaluma Police Department's report.
Simultaneously, Miniaci-Pheifer exhibited evident signs of intoxication. A subsequent DUI investigation by the officers confirmed she was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs. She was placed under arrest and later booked at the Sonoma County Jail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, and driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs.
The stolen vehicle was promptly recovered and returned to its legitimate owner.
