Man Arrested In Novato For Vandalizing Cars At Food Bank: Police

NOVATO, CA — Novato police arrested a man Monday on suspicion of pouring acid in the gas tanks of vehicles at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, police said Tuesday.

Shahin Farman, 38, was arrested in connection with the vandalism reported around 6:25 a.m. Aug. 2 at the food bank at 2550 Kerner Blvd. in San Rafael, according to the San Rafael Police Department. He is accused of pouring acid in the gas tanks of five vehicles, causing more than $50,000 in damage.

The food bank provided police with surveillance footage of the suspect walking around the parking lot. A detective identified the suspect as Farman, who was known to law enforcement and believed to be living in his vehicle, an early 2000s Dodge Caravan, in the Novato and San Rafael area. The vehicle was also seen in the surveillance footage.

At about 2 p.m. Monday, Novato police detained Farman in the area of Redwood Boulevard and Olive Avenue in Novato. A search of his vehicle revealed a large quantity of muriatic acid, as well as clothing that matched what was seen in the footage, police said. Farman was taken into custody.