A wild police chase involving a stolen semi-truck and trailer tore through the streets of Petaluma, ending with the arrest of a San Francisco man last week. The Petaluma Police Department reported that officers were dispatched to North McDowell Boulevard and Professional Drive around 9:26 p.m. on April 11 to investigate the theft.
Police encountered the suspect, 41-year-old Glenn Hopkins, as he was driving the semi northbound on North McDowell Boulevard. Attempting to make a traffic stop, the officers watched Hopkins try to accelerate hastily, weaving dangerously across the road and clipping the center median. According to a police report, the truck driver's lack of control presented a considerable risk to public safety.
The pursuit continued with Hopkins veering onto Corona Road, then bumping over curbs and sidewalks before colliding with a tree and a road sign. Despite the erratic maneuvers, he maintained speeds around 30-35 mph, eventually making his way south on Sonoma Mountain Parkway before stopping on Colombard Road, where he yielded to the police.
Hopkins was booked at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility, facing charges for felony possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evading of a police officer with wanton disregard for safety, and misdemeanor hit and run causing property damage. The case has been officially registered under PPD Case 24-1542. Media inquiries have been directed to contact Lieutenant Matthew Parnow, and further information can be gleaned from the Petaluma Police Department's official communication.
