Novato, Marin DUI Offenders Target Of Multi-Agency Sting

MARIN COUNTY, CA -- The Marin County Probation Department conducted a multi-agency operation earlier this week, targeting 17 offenders on supervised probation for alcohol-related offenses. An arrest was made in Novato for a violation of probation and a second arrest was made in Tiburon involving both a violation of probation and new law violation. Both arrests are pending charges.

The operation, led by the Probation Department’s High Risk Unit, was conducted Wednesday in the afternoon and evening hours with the assistance of the Novato Police Department and the Marin County District Attorney’s investigation officers.

Five teams split up across the county to conduct extensive searches of residences and vehicles belonging to DUI offenders. Probationers who were found to be under the influence of alcohol and in violation of their probation conditions were transported to Helen Vine Recovery Center in San Rafael.

A Novato resident on supervised probation for DUI charges was arrested, but later cited and released for being in possession of alcohol, a violation of probation. A second offender from San Rafael was transported to Helen Vine Recovery Center after being found in possession of alcohol in addition to being under the influence when officers arrived. A third offender was transported to Marin County Jail as a result of a violation of probation and a new law violation involving possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. All new arrests are pending charges.

In addition to probation compliance checks, Probation officers and a District Attorney investigator intervened to stop a domestic violence in progress in San Rafael. San Rafael Police officers arrived on scene and one arrest was made on outstanding felony warrants out of Oakland and San Francisco. A separate arrest was made on suspicion of domestic violence. All arrests are pending further investigation and pending charges.

The Probation Department is committed to focusing resources on community safety and the rehabilitation of those who enter the criminal justice system, and these compliance checks in the field are one of many efforts. The department offers a balance between public safety, offender accountability, rehabilitative services and restorative practices.

News release and photo provided by County of Marin Public Information Office