Man Holds Knife To Woman’s Throat, Then Barricades Himself In Novato Home: Police

NOVATO, CA — A Novato man was arrested Wednesday after police said he held a knife to a woman's throat, threatened another person who intervened and then barricaded himself inside a nearby home for about two hours.

Police arrested Richard Brust, 35, of Novato Wednesday and booked him into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, battery, brandishing a weapon and possession of a switchblade, police said.

Novato police responded around 3:25 p.m. Wednesday to the area of the Square Shopping Center after receiving a report of a man on a bicycle pointing a knife at someone.

Investigators said the man held a knife to the first victim's throat while threatening to kill her. Police said he also brandished the knife and threatened a second person who intervened and told him to leave the woman alone.

An officer later spotted the man riding a bicycle behind the shopping center near Rica Vista and Buena Vista. Police identified him as Brust.

He then fled to his nearby home and barricaded himself inside, police said. Officers established a perimeter as several Novato police units and Marin County Sheriff's Office teams responded to assist.

Authorities made repeated announcements ordering Brust to come out during the standoff, according to police.

After about two hours, Brust surrendered with the assistance of a family member and was taken into custody without further incident.