Sonoma County Sheriff's Office apologizes for sending out looting false alarm

The Sonoma County Sheriff's office, tipped off by a concerned resident, shared a call to action on its Facebook page Tuesday, before quickly retracting it.

"Okay, Sonoma County, let's catch this crook. This truck is a suspect in a potential attempted looting in the Bennett Valley area," read the post, alongside a picture of a black pickup truck and a phone number to call.

The post circulated for about an hour online before being taken down.

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The "suspect" turned out to be someone "assisting his friend in a time of crisis," according to a revised Facebook post by the sheriff's department.

"His actions were seen by a passerby and misinterpreted as looting when he was, in fact, selflessly assisting his friend," the social media post continues. "Thank you for helping others in this time of crisis and our apologies for the mix-up."

Fear of looting prompted officials to set a curfew between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 a.m. in the evacuated areas of Santa Rosa.

"Please be advised that any looters who are apprehended will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said in a statement.

L-R, Joe Lee, Nick Woodle, and Jordan Winslow watch as a fire grows along the ridge neaer Highway 12 outside Eldridge, Calif., on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires as some communities begin to assess the impact of the fires. less L-R, Joe Lee, Nick Woodle, and Jordan Winslow watch as a fire grows along the ridge neaer Highway 12 outside Eldridge, Calif., on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 149 Caption Close Sonoma County Sheriff's Office apologizes for sending out looting false alarm 1 / 149 Back to Gallery

Officials warned that violating curfew constitutes a misdemeanor crime.

After apologizing for the false alarm Tuesday, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department asked that "people give each other leeway during this time of high stress" but continue to report suspicious activity to authorities.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.