Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested in Courtroom

A Novato man walking into an appearance at Marin County Superior Court was arrested on an unrelated charge Wednesday when Novato police matched him with a suspect in a felony hit-and-run incident in February.

Kevis Halphen, a 55-year-old teacher, was booked into Marin County Jail at 9:25 a.m., ending more than three months of unsuccessful attempts to contact him, Sgt. Oliver Collins said. A patrol sergeant who was slated to appear in court Wednesday morning saw that Halphen had an appearance that morning as well and contacted him inside the courtroom.

On Feb. 19, a 5-year-old child was struck and injured in an incident on Hutchins Way. The driver of the vehicle initially stopped to check on the child, who had minor injuries, but took off before paramedics and police officers arrived, Collins said. During the investigation that followed, police identified Halphen as the driver.

Halphen faces a felony hit-and-run charge and misdemeanors of reckless driving and driving with a suspended license, according to the jail booking log. His bail was set at $50,000.