Novato Man Leads Police On Chase

An armed man— later identified as 20-year-old Novato resident Derrell Bland — was chased and arrested in downtown San Rafael early Sunday morning, police said.

Officers responded to a report of a man driving a silver Buick and brandishing a handgun at about 12:45 a.m., according to the San Rafael Police Department.

Police located Bland near Fifth Street and initiated a pursuit.

Trying to evade police, Bland allegedly sideswiped a car parked on Cijos Street and crashed into a tree on Lootens Place, police said.

Following a brief pursuit on foot, Bland was taken into custody, police said. A loaded revolver was found in a discarded coat near the suspect's Buick.

About 200 people attending a dance party in a Masonic hall on Lootens Place came outside and began yelling at the officers attempting to take Bland into custody, police said.

Deputies from the Marin County Sheriff's Department and a K-9 unit from Novato police responded to help disperse the crowd.

Bland was booked at Marin County Jail for carrying a loaded handgun, brandishing a firearm, evading police, hit and run and violation of probation.

— Bay City News