This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Purse Snatcher Gets Away With Nothing

The following information from Jan. 22-24 was supplied by the Novato Police Department. Arrests do not indicate a conviction.

The Headliner: 

Jan. 24, 12:33 p.m. – A witness reported that a woman was chasing a thief who had stolen her purse in the vicinity of the Safeway store on Nave Drive.  The would-be-thief dropped the woman's purse as he was being pursued by two witnesses.  An area check for the suspect was unsuccessful.  All of the victim’s property was recovered. 

Jan. 23 

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

2:21 a.m. – Vehicle tampering was reported in the vicinity of Green Oak Drive and Marin Valley Drive. A man said that when he was walking toward his vehicle he noticed a man and a woman inside his black Mazda Miata.  He described them both as Hispanic.  Both of them jumped into a red SUV and drove away northbound on Marin Valley. Nothing had been taken from the vehicle although plastic had been removed around the ignition. 

4:04 p.m. – Three people appearing to be homeless were reported arguing in the vicinity of Safeway on Diablo Avenue. The reporting party said that there were two men and a woman and that one man was holding a machete.  He was described as a white man with a black goatee and he was wearing a dark brown hat.  One man fled prior to providing a statement.  The other two denied any type of altercation.  A complaint was filed on one individual for resisting arrest. 

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

4:52 p.m. – A petty theft was reported at the Shell station on South Novato Boulevard.  The reporting party said that a heavy black man took some sodas and left in a gold Ford Expedition.  He headed eastbound on Rowland Boulevard.  The reporting party refused to press charges but stated that if there were any contact again a trespass warning would be issued. 

5:37 p.m. – A petty theft was reported at the Marshall’s store on Vintage Way.  A 19-year-old was in custody for using a scissors to remove a security tag. 

6:31 p.m. – An alert was issued to all units to be on the lookout for a gold or tan 1998 Ford Expedition.  It was being driven by a black man, about 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds.  The driver has a felony warrant for a parole violation and he is believed to be armed and dangerous. 

6:53 p.m. – A burglary was reported in the 500 block of Loleta Lane.  The reporting party told a real estate agent that unknown(s) had tried to break into a vacant house.  A window frame was found damaged and a dryer was pulled away from a wall.  

10:25 p.m. – A driver stopped for vehicle code violations in the 400 block of Enfrente Road was found to be driving on a suspended license and with no proof of insurance.  Approximately three pounds of marijuana was also located in the vehicle.  The driver had a medical prescription card and there was no evidence of sales activity.  The driver was cited and released but the vehicle was impounded for 30 days. 

Jan. 24 

8:32 a.m. – State parole personnel requested officer assistance in arresting a parolee at America’s Best Value Inn on Redwood Boulevard.  The man was booked and taken into custody for a violation of parole. 

12:45 p.m. – Vandalism was reported in the 500 block of San Marin Drive.  The victim says unknown(s) damaged her car overnight and the vehicle is now at the shop for repairs.  The windshield was smashed, lights were stolen and wiper blades were cut.  Damage was estimated at $2,000. 

1:32 p.m. – A health and safety violation was reported at San Marin High School.  Two students were cited for possession of marijuana and released back to the custody of the school. 

3:30 p.m. – A woman stealing an iPod was captured on a surveillance video at a gift shop in a carwash on Vintage Way.  The reporting party described her as white, in her 40s, with blonde hair, average build, and about 5-foot-5 tall.  She was last seen wearing a black sweater, jeans and carrying a black purse.  She was driving a red sedan.  Plate information was provided to officer(s). 

5:09 p.m. – A burglary was reported in the 1100 block of Simmons Lane.  The reporting party’s house was broken into sometime between noon and 5 p.m.  Jewelry and an iPad were taken.  

6:15 p.m. – A burglary was reported on Encina Court.  The reporting party arrived home and found that plants had been moved around.  Point of entry was a small slider window in the kitchen area.  Due to the small window size, it appears a full entry into the house was not made.  There appears to be no loss, only plants had been moved. 

9:09 p.m. – A woman driving in the vicinity of Safeway on Diablo Avenue was cited and released on suspicion of driving with a suspended license.  Her vehicle was impounded and towed away. 

11:31 p.m. – A vehicle stolen in the 400 block of Alameda del Prado was recovered in San Rafael on East Francisco Boulevard.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.