A transient man was arrested in Petaluma on Tuesday morning after assaulting a 7-Eleven clerk and robbing the store, according to Petaluma police.
Dale Ostrand was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of battery and robbery, police said.
At around 6 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 7-Eleven for a reported battery. Upon arrival, they found a clerk suffering from head injuries and having no recollection of what happened, police said.
Officers reviewed the store’s surveillance footage and confirmed that a violent battery and subsequent robbery took place. The footage showed the clerk was punched in the side of the head by man who officers recognized as Ostrand, who had a history of contacts with law enforcement.
After the attack, Ostrand left the store, taking merchandise without paying, police said. He was located nearby after a search of the area and taken into custody without incident.
Ostrand has been arrested seven times prior since 2015 for charges including narcotics, domestic violence and theft, police said.