Following a suspected assault and the brandishing of a handgun, Petaluma police swiftly apprehended a parolee on the lam. The 32-year-old suspect, Jimy Soriano-Vazquez, was arrested near the Petaluma Library after a 911 call reported an attack on the Highway 101 Pedestrian Overcrossing at Stuart Drive, as the Petaluma Police Department detailed. The police were alerted to the incident at around 7:24 PM yesterday, where witnesses claimed Soriano-Vazquez had attacked an individual and was seen with a handgun and knife.
The chase began after officers arrived on the scene and located Soriano-Vazquez, who, ignoring police commands, bolted towards Payran Street. Despite multiple warnings that force might be used, running from officers, Soriano courageously continued westbound on E. Washington Street from Payran Street. Ultimately, the pursuit ended after a Taser was deployed, effectively stopping him.
Interestingly, at the time of his detention, Soriano-Vazquez was found unarmed, leading officials to suspect the weapon was discarded during his attempted escape. With the assistance of K-9 officers, an extensive search ensued, but the firearm in question remained elusive. The suspect, whose criminal past includes assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, is also known for gang involvement and was on active parole for the same reason when the incident took place.
After the Petaluma Fire Department and a local hospital medically cleared Soriano, he was booked at the Sonoma County Jail on charges of parole violation and obstructing officers. According to a statement from the Petaluma Police Department, locating the original victim, who remains unidentified and at large, is still on the police's agenda in the wake of the event.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to step forward and contact the Petaluma Police Department, referencing case PE25-0001612. Soriano-Vazquez now faces charges of Parole Violation (3056 PC) and Obstructing Officers (148(a)(1) PC), with the investigation ongoing.
