Man Arrested For Mill Valley Gun Theft: Police

MILL VALLEY, CA — San Rafael police arrested a Novato man suspected of possessing stolen property, including guns taken during a burglary in Mill Valley.

Police stopped the man's car at 6:15 p.m. Sunday in the area of Bellam Boulevard and Francisco Boulevard East because the rear license plate did not belong to the vehicle.

An officer and his K-9 partner searched the car and found a small amount of heroin, drug paraphernalia, a Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver, ammunition, burglary tools and stolen identification cards, according to police. They also found a small bat that was placed by the driver seat and "set up to be used as a weapon," police said.

Michael Anthony Garcia, a 27-year-old Novato resident on probation for past drug-related offenses, admitted to stealing the gun and other items during a Mill Valley burglary, according to police. He also admitted to placing the license plate on his vehicle, police said.

During a later search of his home, police found another gun believed to have been stolen in the burglary.

Garcia was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of being an addict in possession of a firearm, possessing stolen property, possessing burglary tools, possessing narcotics, possessing drug paraphernalia and violating probation. He was being held without bail.

The investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information about the case was asked to call 415-485-3000 or submit tips at rpd.org/tips.