Area Man Arrested for Battery on Petaluma Police Officer

By Bay City News

Petaluma police arrested a Santa Rosa man Tuesday night for resisting arrest and possession of a burglary tool used to break into vehicles.

Police responded to Gilrix Street around 8:15 p.m. to a report of a suspicious male who was looking into parked cars and trying to open car doors, Acting Sgt. Ron Klein said.

Police contacted the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Anthony Westrope, of Santa Rosa, in the 300 block of Ely Boulevard South, Klein said.

Westrope would not identify himself and disobeyed orders to remain seated on a curb and not grab personal items that were taken away from him, Klein said.

Klein said Westrope also appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

Westrope obstructed a police officer and grabbed and kicked officers when he was arrested, according to Klein.

A police officer injured his wrist when an attempt was made to place Westrope in restraints to keep him from fighting.

Police called the Petaluma Fire Department in case Westrope suffered any medical ailments from being under the influence of narcotics during the struggle with officers, Klein said.

He was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital for medical clearance and treatment for minor injuries before he was booked in the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of battery causing injury to a peace officer, obstructing and delaying a peace officer and possession of a burglary tool -- a spring-loaded, metal-tipped punch used to break vehicle windows, Klein said.

The injured police officer was treated and released from the hospital.

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