More details emerge in developer assault case

November 30, 2015

By KAREN VELIE

An alleged violent assault on the girlfriend of a prominent San Luis Obispo County developer included smashing the victim’s head through a window and holding her in a closet against her will, sources said. More details emerged Monday as to what occurred during the Nov. 22 domestic violence incident that sent a 23-year-old woman to the hospital and 28-year-old Ryan Petetit to jail.

Petetit is a principal in PB Companies, a real estate investment and development firm currently embroiled in multiple legal actions for allegedly not paying contractors or following building laws. In the past four years, since Petetit co-founded PB Companies with John Belsher, Petetit has been charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors including multiple charges related to domestic violence, several for writing bad checks and one for drunk in public.

On the evening of Nov. 22, a verbal argument ensued between Petetit and his girlfriend at a home they shared in Arroyo Grande.

The argument turned physical with Petetit allegedly pushing the victim and yelling, sources said. Petetit then allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat and began choking her. He then dragged her to her feet and shoved her head through a bathroom window, shattering the glass.

The victim attempted to escape, but Petetit allegedly took her phone and pushed her into a closet, refusing to release her, sources said.

While the victim fought to free herself, Petetit allegedly slammed her head into the tile floor, knocking the victim unconscious, sources said.

When she awoke, the victim fled to a family member’s home, who took her to a hospital. As required by law, the attending physician called police to report a patient with injuries consistent with domestic violence. The victim identified Petetit as her assailant.

On Thanksgiving, officers arrested Petetit at a family member’s home in Pismo Beach on charges of felony false imprisonment, felony battery with serious bodily injury, felony domestic violence and a misdemeanor charge of disabling a wireless device.

Petetit quickly posted $50,000 bail and was released from custody. Officers then contacted a judge who signed an emergency protective order to help safeguard the woman from further abuse.

PB Companies is currently moving forward on several large commercial, mixed-use and residential projects including two subdivisions in Templeton, a mixed-use project at the corner of Marsh and Nipomo streets in San Luis Obispo and an assisted-living facility in Arroyo Grande.

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