SAN RAFAEL POLICE DEPARTMENT The Year in Review for 2025

 

SAN RAFAEL POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Year in Review for 2025

January:

01/01/25 – Officers responded to Novato Street on a report of a disturbance.  Upon arrival they learned that a man had blocked a driveway with his car, which did not allow people to leave the lot.  When several citizens asked the man to move his car, he pulled out a knife and threatened them.  He then got into his car and crashed into another car in the lot and nearly struck a citizen.  Booked for ADW was Hugo Martinez Morales, 36 of San Rafael.

01/02/24 – Assembly Bill 413 (Daylighting Law) went into effect at the beginning of the year.  The new law made it illegal to park within twenty feet of the approach to any marked or unmarked crosswalk. The purpose of the bill is to improve safety for pedestrians, drivers of cars and riders of bikes.

01/05/25 – Officers responded to an auto shop on Andersen Drive regarding an assault.  The victim, who worked at the auto shop, reported that a man drove his bicycle into the shop.  When asked what he wanted, the suspect told the employee that he owned the property.  The suspect then pulled pepper spray and sprayed the employee.  Officers checked the area and found the suspect, Mitchell Wayne Weifenbach, 31 of San Rafael.  He was arrested for making criminal threats and possessing tear gas by a convicted felon.  It was reported that the suspect had an arrest history of assault and battery. On 02/06/25, Weifenbach plead guilty in a plea deal.  He will face 120 days in jail and two years’ probation.

01/06/25 – SRPD announced that they would be holding a DUI checkpoint on 01/24/25.  The checkpoint was held on Lincoln Avenue. A total of 484 cars were screened, and one person was arrested for intoxication, while five others were cited for various offenses.

01/10/25 – Former SRPD Officer Brandon Nail, who was dismissed in 2023 after making an arrest on Windward Way in 2022, had a hearing with an arbitrator to determine if there was just cause for the city to fire him.  Arbitrator Daniel Saling overturned the dismissal.  He will be put on administrative leave with pay until his criminal case is settled later in the year.

01/12/25 – SRPD dispatchers received a call from a male who reported that he was in an apartment in Terra Linda and his brother attempted to shoot him with a rifle.  The dispatchers became suspicious of the caller and felt it might be a “Swatting” call.  Upon arrival, officers found a male playing a video game and he reported that an online player had threatened to make such a call.

01/13/25 – SRPD was advised that there was a police pursuit in progress where officers from the CHP were chasing a felony suspect who had assaulted a police officer.  As the suspect came into San Rafael, he drove northbound into the southbound lanes.  A San Rafael Officer saw that the suspect was going to collide with other cars and he maneuvered his patrol car into the suspect car and disabled it.  Booked was Casey Joseph Beck, 36 of Antioch for assault with a deadly weapon and evading police.

01/15/25 – An officer on patrol at Francisco and Bellam Blvd. noticed a CHP car in traffic. The vehicle was a white Camero with the CHP logo on the doors. The officer noticed that the driver was not in uniform and when he ran the plate to the car, it did not come back to the CHP.  The car was pulled over, and the driver was contacted, who said that he was taking the vehicle to a car show.  The driver, Matthew Bennett Connolly, 25 of Richmond was cited for impersonating a police officer and the car was impounded.

01/20/25 – Just after midnight, SRPD received an automated signal from a cell phone reporting that there was an accident on Locust Avenue by Dominican University.  Upon arrival, officers found a solo vehicle accident.  The driver was contacted and found to be under the influence. Good news, the driver’s phone worked as it should have, reporting the collision, bad news, the driver went to jail for DUI.

01/24/25 – SRPD announced that it was going to conduct a DUI checkpoint in the city. The location was not announced, and it was being paid for by a grant.

01/27/25 – SRPD received a report that a northbound SMART train struck a pedestrian who was standing on the tracks at San Pedro and Los Ranchitos Road.  Officers responded and found a 54-year-old male deceased on the tracks.  An investigation revealed that the male had been standing on the tracks for some time prior to the collision.  It appeared that the male wanted to be hit by the train. SMART has had 18 fatalities, including six in Marin since service started in 2017.

 

February:

02/03/25 – Officers responded to the intersection of Smith Ranch Road and Yosemite Road regarding a male who was threatening people with a sharp object.  When officers arrived, the suspect became belligerent and combative with them.  Officers had to use foam projectiles and taser to subdue the suspect.  One officer was injured in the altercation.  Booked for assaulting an officer and resisting arrest was Stanley Erole, 28 years.  A search of his person revealed a box cutter that was in his pocket.

02/03/25 – Karina Ornelas was sworn in as a San Rafael Police Officer.  She was a lateral transfer from Novato P.D.

02/08/25 – SRPD’s K-9 Unit observed a speeding vehicle on Bellam Blvd. The officer pulled the car over and contacted the driver.  As a result of the contact, the officer ended up arresting the driver for DUI.  A search of the suspect’s person revealed that he had a loaded non-serialized handgun in his waistband.  A search of the vehicle produced an additional 70 rounds of ammunition for the handgun.  The suspect was booked at MCJ.

02/12/25 – At 1415 hours, officers responded to the Terra Linda Safeway Store parking lot regarding an attack that had just occurred.  Upon arrival officers learned that two adult males and one male juvenile had attacked two people in the parking lot.  During the attack, the suspects displayed handguns and also struck one victim with one of the guns.  Officers started to look for the suspect car, and an officer, who was downtown saw the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver took off southbound on Highway 101 with officers in pursuit. As the pursuit got close to the Golden Gate Bridge, the CHP took over with SRPD units following.  The suspect car broke down on Park Presidio Avenue and the suspects fled on foot but were captured a short time later.  A backpack that they had was found to have three loaded handguns and one loaded assault weapon. Booked at MCJ was Jechivon Anay Cifuentes-Diaz, 22 years, Jovardo Esmar Cifuentes-Diaz, 18 years and a male juvenile for various felony charges.  All of the suspects were from San Rafael.

02/16/25 – The Marin County Pension Board reported that because of good returns, some pension costs would be reduced.  Marin County will pay 5 million dollars less and the Novato Fire District will save $300,000.  The City of San Rafael will have to pay one million dollars more.

02/17/25 – During the evening, two men were gambling on Canal Street, when they got into a verbal dispute, which then turned physical.  During the fight, one of the men took the other man’s money and fled on foot.  Officers tracked him to his home and arrested Macario Gilberto Lopez-Renoj, 37 of San Rafael for robbery.

02/18/25 – The San Rafael City Council approved the Police Advisory and Accountability annual report for 2024.

02/22/28 – Just after midnight, officers were dispatched to a report of a traffic accident at Third and Lincoln Avenue.  Upon arrival, officers found a car on its side and a female in one of the cars, who had serious injuries.  Officers checked on the other driver, Marcos Martinez-Jimenez, a 27-year-old San Rafael resident.  Upon checking on the subject, it was determined that he displayed symptoms of intoxication.  He was arrested on several DUI charges as well as having a suspended license.

02/23/25 – The Police Advisory and Accountability Committee issued its first end of year report.  The report stated that improvements have been made in the department, such as cultural awareness training and steps to promote diversity in the ranks.  It was reported that a quarter of the department’s officers were staffed with women with a goal of 30 percent by 2030.

02/27/25 – Officers responded to the 7-11 Store on B Street regarding a report of shots fired.  Upon arrival, officers found a male with a bullet wound to his wrist.  The suspect fired several shots into a small crowd, striking the 34-year-old victim.  He fled and was not located. On 03/21/25, after an intensive investigation, Officers arrested Haadi Bolourchi, 33 of San Rafael for the shooting. He was in custody in Marin County Jail when he was arrested.

02/28/25 – Around 2000 hours, the department’s K-9 officer pulled over a car for a traffic violation at Second and Irwin Street.  Once the car stopped moving, the passenger foot bailed from the car, holding a bag.  While other officers started looking for this suspect, the K-9 officer continued with the investigation of the car and the driver.  K-9 Tango alerted to the car and a search revealed narcotics, burglary tools, and stolen property belonging to 16 victims.  Meanwhile, officers located the passenger who fled, and they found the bag he had been carrying.  Inside was an unregistered loaded handgun.  Both subjects were booked on various charges.

 

March:

03/05/25 – Officers responded to a report of an assault at Fourth and C Street.  The suspect, identified as Dominic Lucero, 40 of San Rafael, attacked a passerby with a metal object.  After the suspect was arrested, he stated that he attacked the victim because he thought that the victim had a gun.  Lucero was booked for Felony Assault.

03/06/25 – On 06/04/22, Officers responded to a shooting on Medway Road.  Upon arrival, officers found one gunshot victim, and he was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries.  An investigation began and the shooter was identified as Alan Estuardo Perez, 20 years, of Novato, who was arrested for homicide.  He recently pleaded guilty in 2024 to the crime and received a sentence of 15 years to life.  Six other subjects, who were involved, were also arrested and received various sentences.

03/07/25 – At 2236 hours, officers responded to the intersection of Marin Center Drive and Redwood Highway regarding a report of a person lying in the roadway.  Upon arrival, officers found a male with severe injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle.  SRFD responded, but the man died.  An investigation is continuing to try to identify the driver.

03/12/25 – Officer Karina Ornelas successfully completed her FTO program.

03/17/25 – Officers responded to a report of a robbery on the bike path that parallels Highway 101 at Paloma Avenue.  Officers contacted the victim and then began a search for the two reported suspects.  Officers detained two juveniles at Fourth and Hetherton Street and while conducting an investigation, they discovered a bag that had been thrown into some bushes that contained some of the stolen property and a loaded firearm.  Both suspects were booked at Juvenile Hall.

03/17/25 – SRPD swore in three new officers who recently graduated from the South Bay Regional Police Academy.  They were Pete Sotiras, Jacob Cremen, and Preet Kaur.

03/18/25 – A San Rafael woman who is accused of killing her mother in 2024, had her criminal proceedings suspended so she could be further evaluated.  Tonatzyn Beltran, 30 years, had been evaluated last Fall, but her defense attorney reported that her mental condition had become worse.  She is accused of stabbing her mother to death in the Terra Linda area.

03/19/25 – At 1741 hours, officers responded to the area of Los Gamos Road regarding several auto burglaries that had just occurred and a report of a suspicious male loitering near a car. When officers arrived, the suspect fled and a perimeter was set up and a drone was launched, however the suspect was not located. The next day a neighbor identified the suspect as a Miller Creek student who had been suspended from school.  It was also discovered that the suspect was in a Snapchat video, where he was driving a stolen car that he crashed in MCSO jurisdiction.  The juvenile was contacted, and he was cited for auto burglary and stealing a car.

03/19/25 – SRPD received a text message at 1030 hours from an adult female reporting that a male was following her in the area of Professional Center Parkway and Highway 101. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect with the female.  He was detained and an investigation revealed that the suspect, Darrien Humphries, 25 of Vacaville, had been making lewd and sexual comments while he walked with the victim, who did not know him. Humphries was also determined to be a registered sex offender.  He was booked for stalking and making lewd remarks to the victim.

03/20/25 – At 0530 hours, SRPD received a call from a male, reporting that he had been robbed by two suspects who were armed with handguns at Canal and Kerner.  Officers responded and quickly detained one suspect, who had fled on a bicycle.  Officers found a handgun in a bag that the suspect had discarded.  He was booked for robbery among other charges.  One other additional charge was added, which was driving a bike with no headlamp! The suspect was not located.

03/24/25 – At 0930 hours, dispatch received multiple 911 calls of a woman being attacked at a car wash on Bellam Blvd.  Officers arrived quickly, however the female suspect, Megan Joan Ebert, 27 of Fresno, had already fled in her car.  Apparently, Ebert was getting her car washed when she got into an argument with another customer.  When a female employee tried to calm things down, the suspect attacked the employee by threatening her with a knife, punching her and pinning her to the ground.  Witnesses got the license plate number of the car, and the plate was entered into the department’s ALPR system.  Later in the day, there was a hit on the car in San Pablo, and police stopped the vehicle and detained the suspect.  She was booked for felony assault and ADW.

03/26/25 – Dispatcher Anndora Lee retired after 34 years of service.  Anndora began her career in 1991 in the Records Department before being promoted to Communications Dispatcher. During her career, Anndora took on other assignments including CSI, Peer Support Member, Honor Guard, SWAT Tactical Dispatcher and she was also on the North Bay Incident Management Team.

03/31/25 – At 1600 hours, at Macy’s Department Store in the Northgate Mall, a subject was observed stealing an item from the store.  Macy’s security contacted the man outside the store in an attempt to apprehend him, however the suspect pulled out a knife and slashed the security agent, causing minor injury.  Officers located the suspect and booked Pedro Alonzo Hernandez-Celidon, 25 of San Rafael for ADW.

03/31/25 – At 0320 hours, thieves struck a 78-year-old photography business on West Fourth Street. Seawood Photo lost about $50,000 worth of merchandise in the burglary.  The suspects attempted to pry open a rear door and when unsuccessful, they rammed their car into the front door of the business to gain entry.  It was reported that several other photo businesses in the Bay Area had also been hit in the last month.

 

April:

04/01/25 – Officers responded to a report of a traffic collision at Second and B Street.  Upon their arrival, they found a pickup truck at the scene with a large amount of damage to it.  An investigation revealed that the truck had veered onto the north sidewalk of Second Street and collided with a streetlight, multiple trees, a traffic signal pole and completely took out the signal control box. The driver attempted to flee, but officers detained him and booked him for DUI.

04/01/25 – A Marin judge rescheduled a trail for former SRPD officer Brandon Nail, who was charged with assaulting an arrestee in 2022.  Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy reset the proceeding for 06/10/25.

04/03/25 – At 0520 hours, the fire department and officers responded to a report of a boat in drydock that was on fire.  Video cameras were checked, and it showed two suspects walking up to the boat and throwing a flammable liquid on the craft, starting a fire.  Officers were able to connect the two suspects to a vehicle; however, it had been reported stolen the day before. During the month of May, SRPD detectives were able to locate more surveillance footage of the suspect vehicle, and they were able to determine that the car was involved in a burglary at the Berkeley Marina.  The suspect was identified, and he confessed to both crimes.  He was booked at MCJ.

04/09/25 – The Citizen’s Police Academy graduates its latest class of citizens on this date.  The department holds two academy classes per year.

04/11/25 – Murder suspect Tonatzyn Oris Beltran, who is accused of murdering her mother in Terra Linda in 2024, was declared fit to stand trial for the crime.  The defendant had undergone mental health evaluations during previous court hearings.  The next hearing was set for 05/14/25.

04/11/25 – St. Raphael’s Church reported that a male caused about $550 in damage to the plaza area of the church grounds.  Officers reviewed camera footage and recognized the suspect, who was identified as Jonathan Cunningham Tillson, 31 of San Rafael.  He was located in Marin County Jail where he was in custody for a separate assault case.

04/17/25 – SRPD Chaplain Jan Heglund announced her retirement after a 27-year career with the police department.  Heglund also served as an FBI Chaplain and was co-founder of the San Rafael non-profit First Responders Support Network, which assists first responders who have post traumatic stress. She was also inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

04/18/25 – At 0600 hours, the San Rafael Smoke Shop, located at 2222 Fourth Street, was burglarized by four suspects in two cars.  The suspects rammed one of their cars into the front door, allowing entry.  Once inside, they removed 80 to 100 cartons of cigarettes. They then fled eastbound on Second Street.  No arrests were made.

04/20/25 – On Easter Sunday, a woman was enjoying brunch with friends at the Miracle Mile Café.  She had hung her purse on her chair, when a male walked by and grabbed the purse and he then fled on foot.  Witnesses and friends ran after the suspect, capturing him a short distance away.  Officers arrived and booked the suspect for Grand Theft.

04/23/25 – Irvin Altamirano was hired as a police officer.  He was a lateral transfer from another agency.

04/28/25 – The Jeannette Prandi Children’s Center celebrated its 25-year anniversary, helping children, who are victims of crime, tell their stories that assists officers in forming a criminal case against suspects.  Jeanette Prandi was a Marin County Sheriff’s Sergeant assigned to the Juvenile Division.  She started her police career as a Records Clerk with the San Rafael Police Department.

04/28/25 – At 0045 hours, officers were dispatched to ABC Supply Company on Jordan Street due to a live video alarm showing a person on the property.  Upon the arrival of officers, they found the man in the video hiding in some bushes.  They also discovered that a hole had been cut in the chain link fence.  Officers searched the area and found two additional suspects in a car a short distance away.  They then found a fourth subject in a second car.  All four suspects were connected to the crime, and they were all booked at MCJ.

04/29/25 – At about 0800 hours, SRPD received several calls reporting a suspicious male who had followed a student onto the school grounds at Davidson Middle School.  When school officials arrived at the location, the suspect fled the campus.  A large police response took place, including the MCSO drone team.  Officers also kept in contact with other schools in the area. Officers were able to identify the suspect as Willie Jesse Clinton-Jones, s 45-year-old registered sex offender. Clinton-Jones was wearing an ankle monitor, which led to his capture.  He had just been released from jail 24 hours previously on another case.  Jones has an arrest history dating back to 2017.  He was booked for parole violation and being on school grounds as a sex offender.

 

May:

05/05/25 – Officers conducted a DUI patrol for Cinco de Mayo and arrested three drivers for DUI.

05/05/25 – At 0300 hours, a suspect forced entry into the Audi dealership on Francisco Blvd. He stole car keys and a computer.  He then took a 2022 Audi from the dealership.  He was caught on surveillance cameras; however, he was wearing a mask. The dealership reported that the car had a GPS unit in it and the car was tracked to Kerner Blvd. Upon the officer’s arrival, they found the car and a male nearby, whose clothing matched that of the clothing worn by the thief.  When officers started to detain the male, he resisted.  A search of the suspect’s person revealed keys to the stolen car and other stolen property.  He was booked on a variety of charges.

05/12/25 – SRPD started its Click it or Ticket campaign for this year.  It was scheduled to run from May 12, 2025, to June 1, 2025.  Extra officers will be out looking for violators.

05/12/25 – SRPD and SRFD responded to the San Rafael Airport on a report of a plane crash. A single engine aircraft was landing at the airport when it suffered landing gear failure resulting in significant damage to the aircraft.  The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without injury.

05/13/25 – SRPD announced that they would be checking on unpermitted food vendors throughout the city.  This was in response to complaints received by the city regarding food safety, equipment hazards and illegal alcohol sales.

05/14/25 – Officer Gomez conducted a traffic enforcement stop for tinted windows by Terra Linda High School. The 17-year-old driver was found to be in possession flavored nicotine products, marijuana, a scale, alcohol and over $1,000 in cash.  It was also determined that the driver had a suspended license.  He was cited for various violations, and his car was impounded.

05/15/25 – The Marin Sheriff’s Office hosted Marin’s Law Enforcement Agencies at the annual flag ceremony for this year’s National Peace Officer Memorial Day.

05/20/25 – At 11:45 am, dispatch received several 911 calls reporting that a man might have been electrocuted at the PG&E substation on Second Street.  Upon arrival, officers found a 42-year-old man, who had apparently climbed over the fence surrounding the site and when he climbed onto some equipment, he received a shock.  He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

05/21/25 – Tonatzyn Beltran, who was arrested for killing her mother in Terra Linda in 2024, appeared in court regarding this case.  A judge set a trial date of 10/21/25.

05/21/25 – Officers responded to the area of Andersen Drive and Lindaro Street regarding a report of an assault.  Upon arrival, they contacted the victim, who reported that a male suspect entered his shelter without permission, that prompted a fight.  It was reported that the suspect struck the victim with a metal post.  Officers located the suspect in the area of Albert Park.  Booked for ADW was Alexander Gonzalez-Davila, of San Rafael.

05/22/25 – In March of 2025, SRPD received information that a man had been sexually molesting a minor.  Officers opened an investigation and arrested Jessy Shol Madrid, 18 years of San Rafael.  Madrid’s phone was searched, and they found evidence of child sexual abuse on it.  Madrid was booked for lewd offenses against a child and other charges.

05/24/25 – Harbor Freight on Francisco Blvd. reported that a male had entered their store six times since February and each time he exited with stolen merchandise.  Officers had the license plate number of the suspect car and on this date, an automated license plate reader recorded the car as being near the store.  Officers arrived at the store as the suspect was leaving with $1,400 worth of merchandise, which he dropped on the ground when he saw officers.  He then took off in his car, ramming a police car as officers gave chase, but they called it off due to safety concerns.  Later that night San Leandro Police got into a chase with the suspect and were successful in arresting him.  Booked for burglary and felony assault was Shahkir Ahmad Ahmadzal, 29 of Hayward.

05/27/25 – The traffic units in San Rafael and Novato worked together to do traffic enforcement in each of the cities.  In San Rafael, officers issued 22 citations in three hours.  In Novato, officers issued 24 citations in the same time period.

05/27/25 – SRPD hired three new officers, who recently graduated from the Santa Rosa Police Academy.  They were Officer Oteon Bordenave, Officer Ryan Knudsen, and officer Julia Taylor.

 

June:

06/06/25 – SRPD was contacted by the Marin County Office of Education reporting that they received information that there was a sexual assault between Para-Educator Isai Rodas, 22 years and a female student in 2023.  It was determined that three sexual assaults occurred off campus with the victim being 16 years old. It was also determined that suspect Rodas was currently on the San Rafael City Schools Board of Education.  At the conclusion of the investigation, Rodas was booked for sexual assault of a minor. On 12/6/25, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against Rodas, stating the burden of proof to obtain a conviction is higher than that required of law enforcement when making an arrest.

06/09/25 – At about 11:00 pm, an officer observed a car driven by Jason Hernandez, 20 years of San Rafael proceeding down Front Street with its lights off.  The suspect refused to stop, and a brief chase began.  The driver finally pulled over, and it was determined that he was DUI and that his license had been suspended on a prior DUI conviction.  He was booked for DUI and a variety of other charges.

06/11/25 – At about 4:30 pm, SRPD Dispatch started receiving 911 calls reporting that a security guard, driving a security vehicle, struck a juvenile on a bicycle and the security guard fled the scene. Upon arrival, officers interviewed several witnesses and the victim and learned that the security guard was yelling at several juveniles on the ground floor of a two story parking garage.  The security guard then drove his vehicle at a juvenile on a bike, striking him and causing injury.  During the investigation, the guard returned to the scene.  He stated that he became angry with the juveniles as they took down some yellow caution tape that he put up.  The guard, Melvin Anthony Kennedy, 66 years, was booked for ADW.

06/15/25 – The San Rafael City Council approved a $500,000 contract with a company called The Flock Group to lease two drones for a period of 36 months.  The drones will act at first responders going to locations by either address or GPS coordinates.  One drone will be stationed on the roof of the police department, and another will be stationed in the Terra Linda area.

06/18/25 – Officers responded to a fight on Irwin Street between to people. Upon arrival, officers contacted the owner of a car, who reported that a female attempted to take items from the victim’s vehicle.  Officers contacted suspect Christy Cook, 44 years of San Rafael and arrested her on charges of battery, attempted Grand Theft and being under the influence.

06/18/25 – Officers responded to a report of a possible domestic violence incident inside a car in the 100 block of Woodland Avenue.  Upon arrival, officers found a 17-year-old juvenile in the car with another person.  It was determined that there was no D.V. however officers smelled marijuana in the car, and a search revealed a loaded gun in a jacket in the car.  The juvenile was booked at Juvenile Hall.

06/27/25 – Over the past two weeks, SRPD officers arrested 13 drivers for DUI.  One arrestee crashed into a fence, and it was determined that he had a BAC of .323, He was also on probation for a prior DUI.

06/27/25 – Officer Anna Finch successfully her five-month FTO program and was ready to go solo.

06/27/25 – The annual camp chance program started this week.  The program has middle school kids participate in camping activities such as swimming, hiking and nature activities. Officers take on the role of mentors and role models.

06/28/25 – SRPD received a report of a bicycle vs a car collision at Freitas Parkway and Lea Drive.  Upon arrival, officers determined the bicycle rider was traveling on Frietas Parkway and when he attempted to turn left onto Lea Drive, he collided with a car that was traveling on Freitas Parkway.  Attempts were made to treat the life-threatening injuries of the rider; however he died.  The bicycle rider was identified as Terra Linda High Mountain Biking Coach Christopher Brignetti, 54 of San Rafael.

 

July:

07/02/25 – SRPD manned a booth again this year at the Marin County Fair, which ran from 07/02/25 through 07/06/25.  The department had displays and handouts for people who stopped by.

07/05/25 – The City of San Rafael approved a 1.5 million services contract to run its homeless camp for another year. The 47-tent encampment is located between Lincoln Avenue and Andersen Drive along Mahon Creek. The grant funded camp was first established in October of 2024.

07/08/25 – Officers pulled over a vehicle that they had been looking for, which was related to several violent crimes.  Officers detained the three occupants and located a real handgun and a C0-2 replica gun in the car. Two of the three occupants, who were juveniles, were arrested for firearms violations and violation of probation.

07/15/25 – An electric scooter was stolen from Third Street.  Investigators looked at surveillance videos and were able to get a look at the suspect.  The next day, Jared Evans, 27 of San Rafael, rode the scooter into the police lobby to retrieve some property.  A records clerk recognized the subject and called officers.  Evans was arrested for Grand theft and violation of probation.

07/19/25 – SRPD held its annual Touch a Truck event at Pickleweed Park. The event allowed kids to come and see and touch large trucks of every sort and many cars.  The event was well attended.

07/19/25 – SRPD and SRFD were dispatched to rescue a sick sea lion on Pt. San Pedro Road where he was found hiding under a car.  The officers and firefighters tried to contain the sea lion; however, he did not want to cooperate.  Officers were able to use shields and cardboard to get him back close to the canal.  Members of the Marine Mammal Center responded and took custody of the sea lion where he will receive proper medical care.

07/22/25 – Officers handled three incidents involving the same suspect in the course of several hours.  At 0430 hours, a women reported that while sitting in her car, three men came up to her vehicle and started banging on the window saying that they were going to kill her.  They then fled and one suspect was described as wearing a red sweatshirt.  At 0504 hours, a man reported that two men came up to him on Kerner Blvd and threw him to the ground, one of the suspects was described as wearing a red sweatshirt and he was reported to have brandished a gun at the victim.  The suspect was located and booked.  At 1137 hours, a man came to the P.D. to report that at 0430 hours, two men attacked him in the Canal area and robbed him of cash and beat him up. He described one of the suspects as wearing a red sweatshirt.  Officers added charges against the already arrested suspect and through surveillance camera footage, they identified a juvenile who had been with the suspect during the attack.  He was located and booked.

07/23/25 – A probation check operation was conducted by the Novato P.D., San Rafael P.D. and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, who worked together to do checks at probationers’ homes to make sure they were in compliance with their terms of probation.  Two registered sex offenders were arrested in Novato for having child pornography on their devices.

07/25/25 – With retirement of Officer Mark Hedeen, who was our boat operator for many years, Officer Brian Patterson was appointed to run the boat program.

07/27/25 – At 2026 hours, officers responded to a report of a robbery that occurred in the area of Larkspur and Canal Street.  The victim reported that he was walking home when an older model vehicle pulled up to him and five subjects got out and began to rob him. Two of the suspects had guns and they pointed the weapons at the victim and assaulted him.  They took $300 in cash and some personal property. On 07/29/25, there was a FLOCK hit on the suspect vehicle and officers stopped it.  The driver of the car was a juvenile who was on probation for DUI. Another juvenile and adult were also in the car.  A search of the vehicle revealed a pellet gun and a real handgun.  All three suspects were taken into custody.

07/28/25 – At 1430 hours, officers were on bike patrol in the 700 block of B Street, when they observed Kassius Kalyia Bilbotate, a 30-year-old San Anselmo resident. The officers determined that Bilbotate had an outstanding warrant for shoplifting and possession of narcotics for sale.  Officers contacted Bilbotate and informed him about the warrant. He became uncooperative with the officers, threatening to assault them. Several of the suspect’s friends began to give the officers a bad time. After backup arrived, officers attempted to arrest Bilbotate, who resisted.  A taser was finally used to subdue Bilbotate.  He was booked for the warrant for resisting arrest.

 

August:

08/05/25 – SRPD celebrated National Night Out with the San Rafael community.  This year a record breaking 17 neighborhoods signed up for the event.

08/01/25 – A crime suppression team was patrolling the Canal neighborhood, when they located a vehicle that was double parked on Novato Street blocking a lane of traffic. Officers contacted the driver and noticed that he was trying to hide something under his seat.  An officer observed a gun barrel under the seat and the driver was taken into custody.  He was booked on several felony firearms violations.

08/05/25 – Officers made a traffic stop at Fourth and Grand Avenue on a vehicle that had registration that had been expired for over a year.  During the stop, officers found an unserialized ghost gun that was in a backpack in the car. Officers also found three magazines, two of which were loaded with 9mm ammunition.  The driver was booked for firearm violations.

08/11/25 – Motor Officer Bob Henkle was recognized for reaching the 30-year mark of his career.  During that time, he has served three tours in the traffic unit.  Bob is also a senior member of the Major Accident Investigation Team and a motor instructor. He is also a member of the City’s Traffic Safety Committee.  Congratulations Bob!

08/11/25 – Officers on patrol observed a vehicle committing several traffic violations and pulled it over on Vivian Way by Francisco Blvd.  When the officers contacted the 20-year-old driver, they observed drug paraphernalia in the car.  Officers detained the driver and a search of the vehicle produced a loaded ghost gun under the driver seat.  The driver was booked on various gun charges.

08/11/25 – Officers responded to the area of an encampment on Andersen Drive regarding an assault that had just occurred.  Upon arrival officers learned from the victim that a subject had hit him with a metal pipe and took his cell phone.  Officers identified the suspect at Pierre Michael Saucer, 42 of San Rafael.  He was located in the area and booked for ADW.

08/12/25 – At about 1730 hours, dispatch received an emergency call from a housing facility in the 3300 block of Kerner Blvd.  It was reported that a female resident stabbed another resident in the stomach. Officers arrived and learned that the suspect, Antoinae Austin, a 30-year-old San Rafael resident, had fled the scene. Apparently, Austin got into an argument with the victim and Austin pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  At 1850 hours, dispatch received a call that a female with a knife was threatening a person on San Pablo Avenue in the Terra Linda area.  Officers started a search of the area but could not locate the suspect, who matched Austin’s description.  At 1950 hours, dispatch received information that Austin had returned to the housing facility where the original incident took place. Officers arrived at Kerner Blvd. and located the suspect locked in a bathroom.  After 40 minutes of negotiating, the suspect still refused to come out and officers forced their way into the bathroom and arrested Austin, who was booked for ADW.

08/15/25 – Officer Lyla Marshall was honored by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), for her work to combat drunk driving.  In 2024, she arrested 30 people for driving under the influence.

08/15/25 – Officer Jacob Cremen was recognized for successfully completing his FTO program.

08/18/25 – Just after midnight, officers were dispatched to a report of a car that had just crashed into a yard at a residence.  Upon arrival, they contacted the driver, Kevin Allen 34 years of San Rafael.  He stated that he had been at party where he had been drinking.  He drove home, but had trouble parking his car and he neglected to put it into park.  The car rolled down the hill and ended up in a neighbor’s yard.  Allen was booked for DUI.

08/21/25 – At 0536 hours, the San Rafael Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 516 Canal Street.  Upon arrival of the fire department, they found the two-building structure fully involved in flames.  Additional resources were sent from agencies throughout the county.  The fire displaced 55 people, 8 people were injured and after the fire cooled down, two bodies were recovered in the debris.  A major investigation was initiated to try to determine the cause of the fire.

 

September:

09/02/25 – At about 2113 hours, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the carport of 129 Canal Street.  Upon arrival, officers found a victim with serious injuries.  The victim reported that he and the suspect got into an argument and the suspect, who fled prior to officers’ arrival, shot him.  Detectives were working on locating the suspect.

09/03/25 – SRPD announced that they were going to hold a Speed Safety and Community Lidar/Radar Class on 09/27/25.  The department has held these classes in the past and they have drawn a great deal of interest from the community.

09/03/25 – Officer Irvin Altamirano was recognized for completing his FTO program.

09/04/24 – A mother reported her 14-year-old son went missing. On 09/07/25, the mother was reading her son’s Instagram messages, and she saw that her son posted that he was on a Smart Train and he had a photo of him holding a gun on the train.  Officers started a search for the juvenile with negative results.  Later that night SRPD learned that Santa Rosa P.D. reported that a person, who was related to the runaway, had a handgun stolen from him.  Officers received a tip that the juvenile was in San Rafael and they located him walking with a friend on Civic Center Drive.  He was searched and the handgun was recovered.  The case was turned over to the Marin District Attorney’s Office for review.

09/09/25 – Chief Spiller announced the promotions of Sgt. Ronda Cordero to Lieutenant and Corporal Scott Brooks to Sergeant.

09/09/25 – At 1448 hours, a juvenile was riding a Golden Gate Transit bus when he was suddenly confronted by a male subject.  Without warning, the subject slashed the victim’s face without warning, using a sharp object. The suspect fled; however officers did a detailed investigation and were able to identify the suspect.  On 10/07/25, he was located and booked for ADW.

09/10/25 – During an animal abuse investigation, SRPD officers removed a 6-year-old Chihuahua dog from an abusive situation and turned the dog over the Marin Humane Society. Humane staff scanned the dog and learned that it belonged to a person in San Francisco and the dog had been missing since June of 2024.  The dog, Peach, was reunited with its family.

09/11/25 – The Downtown Streets Team announced that they were shutting down their program at the end of October due to a lack of funds.  The group is known for its homeless volunteers in yellow t-shirts who pick up trash on the streets of San Rafael and other communities.

09/11/25 – The police department and the fire department held a 911 Remembrance ceremony at fire station 54 in honor of the 3,000 innocent lives that were lost on that day in 2001.

09/15/25 – The annual celebration of Central American Independence Day was commemorated.  Participants gathered at the Northgate Mall, and a car procession then proceeded to the Canal area.  SRPD was supported by many other police agencies in the county, which resulted in no incidents.

09/16/25 – Two men in the Canal Neighborhood, reported that a man walked up to them, pulled out a handgun, and demanded money.  Officers responded and obtained information on the getaway car and other evidence.  Officers were able to identify the suspect as Jovardo Cifuentes-Diaz, 19 of San Rafael.  He was located several days later and booked for robbery.

09/17/25 – A group sex session was set up at a residence in San Rafael. The group consisted of three men and a woman.  After a period of sexual activity, two of the men went into another room. The woman and the remaining man stayed in the original room and the woman reported that the man raped her.  The two men in the other room heard the commotion and they intervened.  The woman contacted PD and several days later they arrested Jaden Jeffrey Howard, 26 of San Rafael and booked him for rape and several other charges.

09/20/25 – Former SRPD officer Brandon Nail, who was charged with assault during an arrest three years ago, had his trial start in Marin Municipal Court.

09/20/25 – Officers responded to a report of a traffic accident at Third and E Street.  Upon arrival, officers determined that pedestrian Patricia Oji, 73 of Fairfax, was in a crosswalk when she was struck by a vehicle.  She was taken to Marin Health Hospital where she died of her injuries.  Oji had an art studio in downtown San Rafael, and she also volunteered for the Marin Humane Society.

 

October:

10/01/25 – Officers investigated a child sexual abuse case where the victim was under 14 years old. At the conclusion of the investigation, officers arrested Welito Maldonado Escobar, 36 of San Rafael for sexual assault of a child and committing lewd acts.  It was reported that the suspect knew the victim’s family.

10/10/25 – The trial for former SRPD officer Brandon Nail concluded and it went to the jury for deliberations.

10/10/25 – Two males were walking on Belvedere Street, when they were approached by a male who demanded their wallets.  The suspect took two wallets from the victims, and during the robbery, he stabbed one of the victims in the leg and then fled. Several days later officers were able to identify the suspect and they arrested Maynor Raxon-Raxon, 33 years of San Rafael.  He was booked for robbery and ADW.

10/11/25 – The San Rafael Police Department and the Fire Department had their first open house at the Public Safety Center.  Attendees were able to talk with police officers and firefighters and look at displays.

10/11/25 – SRPD dispatch received a call from a female who reported that she had been abducted by three men who were holding her against her will.  Dispatch was able to trace the call to Robert Dollar Drive and when the first officer arrived, he heard a woman screaming.  The officer located the female and observed a car leaving the scene.  The victim reported that she met the three men on an app and she met the three men in the Canal area.  Once the woman got in the car, the men drove her to Robert Dollar Drive and threatened her with a knife, and that is when she called 911. Officers found a handgun on one of the suspects.  All three suspects were booked for kidnapping, and they were also being held on a probation violation.

10/13/25 – Quite Forbes Avenue became the scene of much activity, when a vehicle going down the street collided with a parked car, which caused the car to overturn in the middle of the street.  Upon arrival of officers, they contacted the driver, who was booked for DUI.

10/14/25 – After a trial of four weeks, jurors acquitted former SRPD Officer Brandon Nail of committing an assault under color of authority and submitting a false police report as a result of an arrest Nail made in the Canal neighborhood several years ago. The jury deliberated for three days before reaching their verdict.  In addition, the San Rafael City Attorney announced that the city had agreed to pay arrestee Julio Jimenez-Lopez $999,000 to settle his civil rights law suit.

10/15/25 – The Sausalito Police Department broadcast to the county that a vehicle had just been stolen from their jurisdiction.  They reported that the car had a GPS system in it and it showed the vehicle as being on Louise Street in San Rafael.  Officers responded and found the car in the middle of the street stopped.  Officers approached the car and found a person sleeping in the driver’s seat.  The occupant, identified as Julio Gomez-Bolanos, 28 of San Rafael, was awakened and he was taken into custody and booked for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, drug possession and committing a theft with priors.

10/21/25 – While on patrol in Terra Linda, an officer observed fireworks going off in the sky.  He investigated and found the source to be the Sheraton Four Points Hotel.  Upon checking that area, he located a male who had been setting off the fireworks.  Several fireworks were seized and the subject received a citation.

10/24/25 – Congratulations to the following officers who passed their FTO program.  They were Officers Preetinder Kaur, Julia Tayor and Ryan Knudson.

10/28/25 – Two new motor officers were added to the traffic unit this month.  Officers Jake McElderry and Andrew Santos successfully completed four weeks of motor training. This brought the number of motor officers to five, who will be keeping the city safe.

10/29/25 – At 1030 hours, officers responded to a report of a traffic accident at Second and A Streets.  Upon arrival they found an injured pedestrian, and they immediately performed life saving measures, but were unsuccessful.  The driver of the van who struck the pedestrian remained at the scene and cooperated with police.  The pedestrian was later identified as Susan Y. Jung, 86 years of San Rafael.

 

November:

11/02/25 – At 0130 hours, officers pulled over a car for expired registration.  During the stop, a police K-9 detected drugs in the car and a search was done.  A search was performed and hard drugs and packaging material and a scale were located.  Booked for drug possession was Edgar Aguilar, 36 of Novato.  Police reported that he had prior drug convictions.

11/04/25 – After an investigation, SRPD arrested Alexander Velasquez, a 24-year-old San Rafael resident for sexual assault of a drugged or intoxicated minor at a party in August. After detectives interviewed the suspect, he made criminal threats to the victim, which was an additional charge that was added.

11/12/25 – Richard LeRoy Carlson, 36 years, was convicted of murdering Eleanor Carlson, his adoptive mother with a knife on C Street in 2010.  Carlson was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.  In October of this year, Carlson was up for parole, and the parole board denied his release.  He will be up again for a parole hearing in 2028.

11/12/25 – SRPD observed Records and Call Taker Appreciation Week.  These professionals are the ones who keep the San Rafael Police Department running smoothly every day.

11/13/25 – SRPD reported that the dumping of illegal trash is an eyesore and an environmental hazard. The PD announced that they would be deploying Smart Camera surveillance trailers at hot spots to record any illegal dumping.

11/17/25 – SRPD announced that it received a $105,000 grand from the Office of Traffic Safety.  The grant will support its ongoing education and traffic enforcement programs.  The grand runs through September of 2026.

11/18/26 - SRPD held its Awards and Promotion Ceremony in the council chambers with a large group attending. Nine Life Saving Citations were issued, and 26 Unit Conduct Citations were issued as well as two Letters of Commendation. There were also two promotions.  Sgt. Ronda Cordero was promoted to Lieutenant and Corporal Scott Brooks was promoted to Sergeant.

11/19/25 – Due to an increase of bicycle thefts in the city, SRPD officers conducted a sting operation.  They locked a bike to a fence on Lincoln Avenue and waited to see if anyone would steal it.  Within 10 minutes, a male came up to the bike, cut the lock and took it.  Officers arrested Melvin Delgado, 42 of San Rafael for theft.

11/29/25 – At 0315 hours, a group of burglars broke into five stores in the Northgate One complex in Terra Linda.  Upon arrival, officers spotted the stolen suspect vehicle and chased it south on Highway 101, but they ended the pursuit out of safety concerns.  This group has been burglarizing stores in Marin and the Bay Area over the past month.

December:

12/01/25 – After the department installed cameras to capture illegal dumping, two subjects were observed dumping items on Albert Park Lane.  The department was aware of who the subjects were, and they are being charged with misdemeanors.

12/02/25 – In January of 2024, Tonantzyn Beltran, 30, of San Rafael, was arrested for stabbing her mother, Olivia Beltran, 55, to death. The trial took place this month, and after four weeks of testimony, the jury deliberated for three hours and found Beltran not guilty by reason of insanity. As a result of the outcome of the trial, Beltran will be placed in a psychiatric facility.

12/10/25 – At 1900 hours, a male driving a car flagged down an officer reporting that a car struck his vehicle and the driver took off.  The victim gave a description of the suspect car, and an officer spotted the vehicle as it was entering Spinnaker Point.  The driver, Jose Lopez-Lopez, 23, of San Rafael was determined to be under the influence.  He was booked for DUI, violation of probation, driving on a suspended license and hit-run.

12/13/25 – At 1250 hours, two masked men entered Gold Rush Jewelers at 831 Fourth Street.  The suspects jumped over the glass display counters and demanded a wristwatch from one of the employees.  The employee refused to give up the watch and told the suspects to leave the store. One of the suspects, who was armed with a handgun, fired a shot at the employee narrowly missing him.  The suspects then fled the area in a vehicle.  The case is under investigation.

12/14/25 – At 1045 hours, SRPD dispatch started receiving 911 calls reporting that a man with a box cutter was chasing several people in the parking lot at the Home Depot Store. Home Depot employees were able to stop the suspect from entering the store and when officers arrived, they were able to detail him, however the suspect spat at officers while being restrained.  A box cutter was found on the suspect.  An investigation revealed that he did not know any of the people he threatened.  Booked for ADW and other charges was Eduardo Garcia-Hernandez, 20, of San Rafael.

12/16/25 – At 2030 hours, officers received a report of a disturbance at Hoag and Mill Street.  Officers responded and a drone was dispatched to the area.  A victim was found with stab wounds.  He was taken to the hospital for treatment; however, he did not survive.  The victim was identified as Jason James Lee, 44, of San Rafael. It was San Rafael’s first homicide of the year.

12/17/25 – A visitor to Freitas Park noticed a suspicious item on the ground. Officers responded and could not determine what it was.  The U.C. Berkeley Bomb Squad was called, and they responded to the scene.  They determined that it was not an explosive and that it might have been a piece of equipment of some sort.

 

Homicides:

There was one reported homicide in San Rafael for 2025.  It was the only homicide reported in Marin County.  There was one reported homicide in 2024. There was one reported homicide in 2023, and there was one reported homicide in 2022.

12/16/25 – At 2030 hours, officers received a report of a disturbance at Hoag and Mill Street.  Officers responded and a drone was dispatched to the area.  A victim was found with stab wounds and was taken to the hospital for treatment; however, he did not survive.  The victim was identified as Jason James Lee, 44, of San Rafael.

Police began an investigation and with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, they arrested three juveniles who were residents of Petaluma for the crime. All three were booked at juvenile hall for murder. On 12/23/25, the Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against all three suspects.  One suspect was charged with murder, and an enhancement was added as a knife was involved. The other two were charged with inflicting great bodily injury.

 

In Memoriam:

01/03/25 – Retired Sonoma Sheriff’s Deputy Donald Joseph McCarthy passed away in Sonoma County.  Donny was born in San Bruno, but at the age of six, the family moved back to San Rafael, where Donny attended Terra Linda High School, graduating in 2000.  He played football and baseball, earning six varsity letters.  Donny earned a degree in criminal justice at Sacramento State and shortly after graduation, he attended the police academy in San Mareo. Donny was hired by the San Mateo Police Department and in 2007 lateraled to the Daly City P.D. which was a family tradition. In 2017 Donny lateraled to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. In 2020 Donny responded to a radio call and after pulling up to the house, his patrol car was struck by a vehicle, severely injuring him.  Donny was able to recover where he was able to return to full duty, being promoted to the rank of Detective.  In 2024, due to his injuries, Donny had to retire from the Sheriff’s Office, ending a career that he loved.  Donald McCarthy was 42 years old.

01/12/25 – Retired FBI Special Agent Patrick Murphy passed away peacefully in his Novato home on this date.  Pat was born in Chicago and graduated from Loyola University in Chicago, and continued on to attend the FBI Academy. He worked as a special agent for 27 years.  After retirement, Pat was active in the Marin County District Attorney’s Office Elder Abuse Prevention program. Patrick Murphy was 80 years old.

01/30/25 – Norman Colteaux passed away in his San Anselmo home after a brief illness.  Norman was born in San Bernadino, Cal., but moved to Marin at a young age.  After attending local schools, Norman joined the U. S. Postal Service where he spent four decades working in the San Anselmo Post Office.  After retirement, Norman became a Ranger for the Marin County Parks Department, overseeing numerous projects for the county.  Norman Colteaux was 81 years old.

02/21/25 – Retired Secret Service Agent Clint Hill died at his home in Belvedere on this date. Hill was born in North Dakota. His mother, who already had five children, took Hill when he was an infant, to an orphanage and turned him over to their care.  A short time later he was adopted by Chris Hill and his wife, who lived in North Dakota.  Hill graduated from college and after serving as an Army Counterintelligence Agent, he joined the Secret Service in 1958. On November 22, 1963, Hill was assigned to protect Jacqueline Kennedy as she rode in the presidential motorcade traveling through Dallas. He was riding on the running board of the car behind the president, and when shots rang out, killing President Kennedy, Hill grabbed Mrs. Kennedy as she tried to climb of the back of the car, most likely saving her life.  Hill would later receive the highest award offered by the Treasury Department, the agency that oversaw the Secret Service at that time. Although hailed as a hero, Hill was consumed with guilt, as he later said that he should have reacted faster to the gunshots, which might have allowed him to save President Kennedy.  Clint Hill was 93 years old.

04/04/25 – Retired SRPD K-9 Aries, who provided a valuable service to the community, passed away.  Aries began his career with SRPD on 08/13/2013. He was the first dog to return to the ranks of SRPD after a decade long hiatus of not having a K-9 program. Aries had a six-year career with the department and was responsible for multiple drug seizure cases, suspect searches and apprehensions, not to mention a great deal of community outreach.  Retired SRPD Officer Phil Melodia, Aries’s caretaker after retirement, laid him to rest.  Many friends and K-9 Officers from the Bay Area were present to provide their support during this difficult time.

05/04/25 – Retired municipal court clerk Thelma Ann Gregory passed away at the Villa Marin on this date.  She was born in Vancouver and moved to San Francisco in 1946. In 1963 she and her husband moved from San Francisco to Terra Linda.  After raising her family, she returned to the workforce in 1978 and was hired by the County of Marin where she worked in the municipal court system for 16 years. She started in the traffic division and then transferred to the position of courtroom clerk. After retiring in 1994, she volunteered at the District Attorney’s Office and MCARE.  Thelma Gregory was 91 years old.

05/12/25 – Former Larkspur Police Officer Peter James Doyle passed away on this date with his family at his side.  He was born in Akron, Ohio and raised in Marin County. After graduating from school, Peter served in the U.S. Navy and was then hired as a police officer for the City of Larkspur.  He continued his police career, working for the Marina, California Police Department until his retirement.  Peter Doyle was 78 years old.

06/13/25 – Former SRPD Police Cadet Greg Molloy passed away as a result of kidney failure.  Greg, who grew up in San Rafael, was hired as a cadet in 1967 and worked at SRPD for about a year.  After attending College of Marin, he joined the Navy and served one tour in Vietnam.  After his military service, Greg remained in the Coast Guard Reserve for many years, and he was also a reserve deputy with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.  In the 1070’s Greg founded Bright Star Security, a company that he ran until his death.  He is survived by his wife Marsha, two daughters and a brother.  Greg Molloy was 77 years old.

06/17/25 – Long time police volunteer Emil Bettini, “3-Victor-1” passed away at his residence at Villa Marin.  He had been in Hospice care when he passed away.  Emil served as a volunteer for 26 years, from 1987 to 2013.  He did many home vacation checks and served subpoenas and much more.  Email was in his 90s when he passed.

06/30/25 – Former FBI employee Florence Taylor passed away peacefully on this date.  Florence was born in San Rafael and after graduating from San Rafael High School, she was hired by the FBI to work in their San Francisco office for several years.  She then worked in her parents’ grocery store and later started her own business called Pots for Pennies. Florence Taylor was 97 years old.

07/06/25 – Retired Marin County Probation Officer Anne Wooliever passed on this date.  Anne was born in New York City.  Her family moved to San Francisco in 1957. She graduated from Dominican College in 1963 and stayed in Marin, raising her two children.  Anne was hired by the Marin County Probation Department and worked there from 1970 to 2006.  The last year of her employment, she served as Chief Probation Officer. Anne also served on the San Anselmo Town Council, serving as Mayor for two terms. Anne was remembered for her infectious laugh, unwavering commitment to others and boundless generosity.  Anne Wooliever was 84 years old.

07/06/25 – Mill Valley resident Robert Nickoloff, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA passed away on this date.  Bob grew up in Portland, attending local schools and at 14, he began volunteering for his local fire department.  He served in the Army just after WW II ended, stationed in occupied Japan.  After college, Bob was hired as an agent for the Treasury Department, based on a test he took in high school.  Bob then transferred to the DEA, moving 12 times across the country.  Bob ended up in Marin where he was Special Agent in Charge for the DEA.  After retirement, Bob remained active with the DEA, founding the Golden Gate Chapter of the Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (AFNA).  Robert Nickoloff was 98 years old.

09/16/25 – Retired Marin County Judge Paul Haakenson died surrounded by his loved ones after a battle with cancer.  Haakenson was born in Los Angeles. He attended the University of California at Davis with a major in biology.  After graduation, Haakenson switched from science to the law where he obtained a law degree at USF in 1993 and was hired by the Marin County District Attorney’s Office.  In 2004 he ran for a judge position but lost to Faye D’Opal, but in 2006 he was appointed to a judge position by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was elected to new terms in 2010, 2016 and 2022.  The Marin Superior Court described Haakenson as having vision, warmth and unwavering fairness that inspired colleagues and litigants alike.  Paul Haakenson was 61 years old.

09/18/25 – Larry Heon retired Chief Public Defender for Marin County passed on this date.  Heon obtained a law degree and dedicated his life to fairness and advocacy for those in need. He worked for many years for the County of Marin.  Heon is survived by his wife of 69 years, two sons and a twin brother.  Larry Heon was 92 years old.

10/07/25 – Jean (Dowling) Saia, a resident of Fairfax passed away on this date.  After graduating school, Jean went to work for the FBI in San Francisco, where she met many lifelong friends.  On 10/08/25, 24 hours after Jean’s passing, her husband of 68 years, Sebastian Saia, also passed away. Jean Sais was 89 years old.

11/02/25 – Retired Novato Fire Chief James Edward Berthinier passed away on this date.  Jim served with the Novato Fire Department for many years, retiring as its chief.  He built a distinguished career marked by leadership and integrity.  James Berthinier was 87 years old.

11/05/25 – Sandra Esteves-Guidi, wife of former San Rafael Police Corporal Rob Guidi passed peacefully on this date.  Sandra and Rob met in high school, which led to a lifetime of shared adventures, laughter and love.  Sandra’s Public Service career was with the County of Marin and San Francisco, where she dedicated herself to helping others. After Sandra and Rob retired, they moved to Stinson Beach in 2011, where they enjoyed much happiness living on the coast. Sandra was 65 years old.

11/25/25 – Retired Marin County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Guelfi passed peacefully on this date. Guelfi was born in San Rafael and attended Sir Francis Drake High School, graduating in 1966.  After graduation, he joined the Army, serving as an MP in Europe.  After returning home, Guelfi was hired as a Marin County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the patrol division. After being struck by a drunk driver, Guelfi retired from the Sheriff’s Office and became a private investigator.  Guelfi also was a professional Elvis Impersonator, touring the state with his “Reflections of Elvis” show.  Guelfi was also the author of a children’s book series, “A kitten called Kitters.” Guelfi is survived by his wife Annie and his sons and stepdaughter.  Robert Guelfi was 77 years old.

 

High Profile Criminals Who Have Departed:

03/07/24 – South Carolina double murderer Brad Sigmon was executed by firing squad, the first time in 15 years that the method has been used in the U.S. Sigmon killed his girlfriend’s parents in 2001, in a botched attempt to kidnap their daughter.  Sigmon chose the firing squad as he did not want to have the prison use the electric chair or use lethal injection.  Sigman was placed in a chair with a white target with a red bullseye placed over his chest.  Volunteer prison employees carried out the execution from a distance of 15 feet.  He was declared dead about two minutes after the shots were fired.  Brad Sigmon was 67 years old.

09/24/25 – Sara Jane Moore, who was imprisoned for more than 30 years after she made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, died in a nursing home in Tennessee.  Moore, as a middle-aged woman, was somewhat involved in leftist groups and at times she was an FBI informant. On Sept. 22, 1975, Moore took a shot at President Ford as he stepped outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Oliver Sipple, a 33-year-old former Marine, knocked the .38 out of Moore’s hand just as she pulled the trigger, causing the round to go wide and strike the side of a building.  Sentenced to life in prison, Moore was paroled in 2007.  In an interview seven years after the shooting, she told the San Jose Mercury News that she was sorry she missed Ford. Moore lived a quiet life after her parole. She was 95 years old.

11/23/25 – H. Rap Brown, a vocal leader of the Black Power movement and cop killer, died in his prison cell at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina.  Brown was active in the racial upheaval movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  He was once quoted as saying that violence was “as American as cherry pie.”  In 1971, Brown was arrested for robbery that ended in a shootout with NYPD officers.  He served five years in prison.  On 03/16/2000, Fulton County Deputies Ricky Kinchen and Aldranon English attempted to serve a warrant on Brown for driving a stolen car and impersonating a police officer.  As the deputies approached Brown’s residence, Brown shot both deputies with a high-powered rifle and then used a handgun to fire three shots into Deputy Kinchen’s groin as he lay wounded on the street, killing him.  Brown was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.  H. Rap Brown was 82 years old.

 

End of Report

 Prepared by Harry Barbier, SRPD #156

Copyright 2026 Harry Barbier