2 Arrested In Stolen Car Investigation, Petaluma Police Say

Petaluma CA

03 February, 2021

4:48 PM

Description

PETALUMA, CA —Two men with outstanding warrants were arrested early Monday when officers located a Petaluma woman's car moments after it was stolen, police said. Officers responded around 6:30 a.m. Monday to the 1800 block of Lakeville Highway where a woman said her Honda, which was parked in front of her residence, had just been taken, the Petaluma Police Department said in a news release. A few minutes later, officers found the stolen Honda in the parking lot of a hotel on Baywood Drive, not far from the victim's residence, police said. Next to the Honda, there was a GMC truck with tools, bicycles and other items in and around the bed of the truck, police said. A man later identified as Vincent Rathe, 32, of San Francisco, was standing next to the truck, while a second man later identified as David Wesser, 34, of San Francisco, was sitting in the front passenger seat. Record checks revealed Rathe had eight outstanding warrants and Wesser had two. Officers found a pair of handheld two-way radios; one in the cab of the truck and the other on Rathe's person, police said. Officers also found the key to the stolen Honda; according to police, the key was stolen from the victim's other car last week. A key fob for a Dodge truck parked nearby was also found; according to police, the Dodge was reported stolen from Santa Rosa. Rathe was booked in Sonoma County jail on suspicion of vehicle theft and for his outstanding warrants. Wesser was booked into Sonoma County jail for his outstanding warrants. Both men remained in custody Wednesday morning, according to jail records. Police asked anyone with information regarding the case to contact Officer N. Acton at 707-778-4372 or [email protected].