K-9 helps end Petaluma standoff

A brief standoff in Petaluma between police and a man suspected of domestic violence ended this afternoon when the man saw a police canine at his door, police said.

Police arrested Joel Janulewicz, 44, of Petaluma, on suspicion of felony domestic battery, felony assault with a deadly weapon, death threats and sexual battery.

Police responded to a report around 11:30 a.m. from a woman who said Janulewicz assaulted her, police said.

Police said Janulewicz was reported to be intoxicated and was still inside the residence in the 1400 block of Dandelion Way. Officers first attempted to call Janulewicz’s cell phone and the home phone for more than an hour and a half, police said.

When it became clear that he was not answering his phone, police said officers began using a loud speaker to ask him to come outside.

Around 1:06 p.m., police said Janulewicz came to the front door but refused to come outside. He went back inside and slammed the door shut, police said.

Officer Corie Joerger, a police canine handler, and her partner Basco, approached the door while officers continued to use the loud speaker to try to get Janulewicz out of the house.

Janulewicz came to the front door and when he saw Basco, police said he gave up the standoff and police arrested him without incident. He was booked in the Sonoma County Jail with a bail set at $125,000, police said.

Police said the victim was injured during the incident and has since received medical attention.

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