Several Arrested During DUI Crackdowns This Weekend

Petaluma Police arrested seven during Friday night’s two checkpoint operations, eight more arrested Saturday.

More than 500 vehicles passed through DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoints at Payran Street near Jefferson Street and East Washington Street at Lakeville Street Friday night, set up in order to raise public awareness about the dangers associated with impaired driving and to take enforcement action against impaired drivers and those driving with a suspended license or no license at all.

Petaluma Police released the following details regarding the operation:

• 551 vehicles went through the checkpoint
• 532 drivers screened by officers for signs of DUI and license checks
• 33 drivers directed into nearby parking area for further investigation.
• 17 drivers were administered Field Sobriety Tests
• 7 drivers arrested.
• 2 drivers arrested for DUI
• 1 drivers arrested for driving with a suspended license
• 4 drivers arrested were for driving without a license
• 1 vehicle was towed from the checkpoint
• 1 vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

Sonoma County conducted a second AVOID Campaign on Sat., Dec. 21, task force personnel attempted 47-compliance checks on DUI probationers to be sure they were in compliance with the terms of their probation. The following three were found to be in violation of their probation terms:

• Thomas Leonel Flores, age 27, from Santa Rosa – arrested for NO BAIL Felony DUI Warrant – to county jail

• Heidi Malone, age 47, from Petaluma – arrested for violation of probation and possession of heroin – to county jail.

• Timothy Kemp, age ,51 from Petaluma - arrested for violation of probation - to county jail.

According to the press release, task force personnel then set out to locate DUI drivers. A total of 79-vehicles were stopped during the operation, and 30-drivers were given field sobriety tests. A total of five-people were arrested, including four for DUI, and one for a parole violation:

The following people were arrested during the DUI saturation patrols:

• Larry D. Davis, age 49, from Santa Rosa – parole hold for violation of possession drug paraphernalia – to county jail.
• Nefelai Duran, age 22 from Santa Rosa – arrested for DUI.
• Jessical Lee, age 33, from Petaluma – arrested for DUI.
• Matthew Kelley, age 34, from Santa Rosa – arrested for DUI.

The press released explains funding for this program and the AVOID the 13 DUI Task Force has been provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.