Standoff Continues With Domestic Violence Suspect In Novato

NOVATO, CA — Novato police are in the fifth hour of a standoff with a domestic violence suspect Friday afternoon, a police lieutenant said.

The standoff began at about 9:30 a.m. at an apartment in the 1500 block of Hill Road, Lt. Sasha D'Amico said.

Officers went to arrest the suspect following domestic violence reported last night against his wife, but the man barricaded himself alone inside the apartment.

The suspect's wife was injured last night, D'Amico said. The man is wanted for alleged corporal injury to a spouse and assault with a deadly weapon and for allegedly choking his wife, D'Amico
said.

Police did not say whether the suspect is armed but he allegedly used a Taser against his wife.

So far, the standoff has been without incident, the lieutenant said.

"We're happy to continue to be patient," she said.

Police advised the public to avoid the area of Hill Valley Apartments in the 1500 block of Hill Road.

Hill Road was closed at the first driveway to the complex, police said. The foot path leading to Hill Road from Rancho Elementary School and South Novato Boulevard was also closed at the end of Hill Road.

Police told residents of the apartment complex to park near Margaret Todd Senior Center and walk to their homes.

"The incident is isolated to one apartment building and officers are working to safely resolve the situation," police said.

By Bay City City News Service; Patch editor Kristina Houck contributed to this report.