Police Taser, Arrest Two Brothers in Alleged Bahia Brawl

A false alarm morphed into much more than for Novato Police officers Saturday evening when they ended up in a brawl with two brothers who they eventually tased and arrested on a series of charges, officials said.

Police were called to a home in the 600 block of Albatross Drive at around 5:15 p.m. Saturday on a report on an assault, according to Novato Police Lt. Keith Heiden.

When police arrived, they found that there was no merit to the assault. But they did encounter 19-year-old Roberto Sanchez, who they determined had an outstanding warrant on a firearms violation, Heiden said.

Sanchez initially gave police a false name, and as they attempted to arrest him, Sanchez and his 20-year-old brother Raul began assaulting the officers to resist the arrest, Heiden said. A fight ensued, with five police officers eventually involved in the incident. Officers used a Taser gun to subdue both men, Heiden said. Police arrested Robert and Raul Sanchez at 6:55 p.m., nearly two hours after they were called to the scene.

Heiden said that both men made multiple death threats toward the officers after they were arrested. Police and the Sanchez brothers sustained minor injuries in the scuffle. The officers did not require medical treatment, while the Sanchez brothers were examined at Novato Community Hospital and then taken to Marin County Jail.

Both men were charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of justice, while Roberto Sanchez also was charged with giving a false name to police. They both remain in custody on $15,000 bail.