Man Tased, Arrested After Trying to Break into Indian Valley Home

Family members in the Indian Valley area of Novato barricaded themselves into their home when a crazed man attempted to break in early Friday morning, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Department.

The suspect was zapped with a Taser gun after posing a threat to sheriff's deputies who responded to the home in the 1900 block of Indian Valley Road, Lt. Barry Heying said.

An emergency call was made at 12:42 a.m. from the homeowner who said a shirtless man was trying to break in despite the homeowner's demands that he leave, Heying said. The suspect was described as acting crazy, yelling and appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

The assisted sheriff's deputies who went out to the home and looked for the suspect, who was found sitting inside a pickup truck while holding a knife, foaming at the mouth and acting incoherently, Heying said.

With the residents — a father, mother and a small child — still hunkered down in a barricaded bedroom, the suspect dropped the knife under advisement of the law enforcement officers but refused to be handcuffed. A Taser was used to control the man, who was taken into custody and treated by paramedics for punctures related to the Taser shot. A Taser is a hand-held devise that delivers an electric shock as two connected electrodes penetrate a body, temporarily debilitating it.

After being cleared by personnel at Novato Community Hospital, the suspect — Jesse Aloisius Roach, 41 — was arrested and booked at Marin County Jail. He faces charges of attempted burglary, exhibiting a deadly weapon, resisting/obstructing officers, being under the influence of controlled substance and violation of probation.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating the incident and asking that anyone with information is encouraged to call 415-473-7233. To remain anonymous and possibly become eligible for a cash reward, call Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. 

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