Police Say Novato Man is Responsible for String of North Bay Robberies

By Bay City News Service:

A 51-year-old Novato man was arrested this week in connection with a string of armed robberies in three North Bay cities.

Danny Bester was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of an armed robbery at a Shell gas station at 950 Del Presidio Blvd. in San Rafael during the early morning hours of Sept. 30, San Rafael Lt. Dan Fink said.

Bester allegedly entered the gas station with a handgun in his waistband area and demanded a store clerk to give him cash and lottery tickets, Fink said.

The clerk complied and Bester fled on foot before police arrived, according to Fink.

Bester is also suspected of armed robberies in Novato at a Subway restaurant at 104 Vintage Way on Sept. 23 and Shell gas station at 401 Enfrente Road on last Saturday, according to Novato police.

In Petaluma, Bester allegedly robbed a Chevron gas station at 4999 Petaluma Blvd. North on Sept. 28 around 11:30 p.m., police said.

Novato police found him on Wednesday around 5:30 a.m. while responding to a report of an attempted burglary in the 1300 block of Hamilton Parkway.

Investigators linked Bester to all the crimes in Novato, Petaluma and San Rafael, police said.

Bester was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail in lieu of $235,000 bail on charges including robbery, burglary, attempted burglary and parole violation.