In a recent operation by Petaluma Police, two individuals were apprehended for a spree of thefts, including an incident at the Petaluma Factory Outlets. Tracy Blanchard, a 48-year-old San Francisco resident, and Nichole Borquez, a 34-year-old from San Jose, were the suspects caught in the act. According to the Petaluma Police Department's social media post, the incident occurred on November 7.
Responding officers arrived at the scene after receiving a report of shoplifting. Blanchard and Borquez were quickly identified as the potential perpetrators. During the investigation, Blanchard was found with brass knuckles and a hidden switchblade. A search of the suspects' vehicle turned up not only the stolen merchandise from the outlets, amounting to $200, but also a meth pipe, suspected methamphetamine, and other items believed to be lifted from Staples.
As a result of the find, Blanchard now faces charges for possession of a switchblade, paraphernalia, methamphetamine, and brass knuckles. Borquez's actions led to an arrest for an outstanding warrant and the charge of shoplifting. The police conducted a meticulous follow-up, which included reviewing security footage that confirmed the goods found in the vehicle were indeed stolen from Staples. The recovered merchandise's value exceeded $3500, thus escalating the charges for Borquez and Blanchard to felony grand theft and a count of conspiracy to commit a crime.
Following their arrest, both suspects were booked into Sonoma County Jail.
