Petaluma police officers used pepper spray and a drone Sept. 2 in the arrest of a suspected drunk driver following a brief pursuit that ended not far from the department’s headquarters.

The incident began at about 9:15 p.m., when an officer attempted to make a traffic stop for a minor traffic violation. Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated and ran several red lights, police said in a community alert.

What followed was a “short pursuit to prevent further risk to the community,” police said, however “The pursuit came to an unusual conclusion when the driver pulled into a parking lot immediately adjacent to the Petaluma Police Department station.”

According to police, the driver, later identified as Osvaldo Casteneda, 33, left his engine running and did not exit the vehicle. Officers observed him “rummaging” while the car remained in drive, which they described as “creating an unsafe and unpredictable situation.”

Officers then flew a drone to observe the suspect from above while maintaining their distance. For upwards of 40 minutes, officers instructed Casteneda, who appeared intoxicated, to exit the vehicle, however he ignored their instructions, police said. Officers eventually used pepper spray “to encourage compliance,” leading to his surrender without any further use of force, police said.

No injuries were reported during the incident, and the officers’ actions underscored the value of “patience, technology, and tactical decision-making designed to protect the community,” according to police.

Casteneda was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and evading police. His case will be forwarded to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office for review, police said.