novatopolice

UPDATE: On Saturday (4/25), the involved driver came to the police station to speak with officers about the collision. This case will be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney's Office for review. Thank you to the community members who assisted with this case. This is an important reminder to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists when driving, especially in areas near schools. Next month is National Bicycle Safety Month, remember to: - Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections. - Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths. - Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space. - Never drive distracted or impaired. Stay safe Novato!

🚨Vehicle vs. Bike Hit & Run: Community Assistance Needed🚨 Yesterday (4/24), around 3:50pm it was reported that an 8-year-old child riding a bicycle was struck by a newer black Mercedes sedan driven by an older female adult. After the collision, the driver stopped briefly and acknowledged the child before driving away westbound on Vineyard Road, leaving the child on the road. A passerby assisted the child and called 9-1-1. Fortunately, the child only sustained minor injuries. We are requesting the community's help regarding the hit-and-run incident, which occurred at the intersection of Vineyard Road and Sutro Avenue. If you have surveillance video, witnessed the incident, or have any information about the vehicle/driver, please contact the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361 and reference case #NP26-1052. Your assistance is important to this investigation. We appreciate our community's assistance! Stay safe Novato!

👮‍♂️ Celebrating Excellence: Our Sworn Employee of the Year! 🌟 We are proud to announce Sergeant Derrick Young as the Novato Police Department’s Sworn Employee of the Year! His unwavering dedication, professional integrity, and commitment to the safety of our community set a gold standard for us all. By leading our recruitment efforts and elevating staff training standards, he has made an invaluable impact on the Novato community. Join us in congratulating Sergeant Young for this well-deserved honor! 👏👏👏 #NPD #EmployeeOfTheYear #Novato #Police #Sergeant

🚨Update Regarding Last Week’s Fatal Collision After medical clearance from hospital staff, the driver was booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall on the following charges: - Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated - Felony DUI - Causing Injury - Child Endangerment The incident has been forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for review. Thank you to all our partners who assisted with this investigation including the Marin County Sheriff's Office, Marin County District Attorney’s Office, Marin County Juvenile Probation, and California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. This loss is a devastating reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence, and we are deeply grateful for the support and assistance shown during this incredibly difficult time.

🚨 Warrants, Marijuana, and a BB Gun: Earlier today (4/20), NPD Officers saw a suspicious vehicle parked near Front Street. One occupant, 37-year-old Jason Cass out of Santa Rosa, was suspected of being under the influence of a drug and was arrested. The other occupant, 66-year-old Sheila Lockhart from Ukiah, had three Mendocino Conuty warrants for her arrest and was arrested. Both were booked into the Marin County Jail. During the investigation, a large quantity of Cannabis and a BB gun were located. The items were confiscated. 🚫Please keep in mind that it is illegal to drive while under the influence of any drug (including Cannabis). Your officers are proactively looking for impaired drivers and criminal activity. If you see suspicious behavior, please call our dispatch center at 415-897-1122. If you see something, say something!

🚨4/13 UPDATE: MAJOR COLLISION INVESTIGATION The Novato Police Department Traffic Section is working closely with the Marin County District Attorney as we continue to investigate the circumstances of the fatal collision that occurred Saturday morning (see original post below). Four occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, are in stable condition, but have not been released from the hospital. The driver will be booked after being released from the hospital. We would like to thank the community members who provided witness information. Their cooperation and willingness to help is greatly appreciated. Our hearts go out to all the families involved, as we recognize that a loss of this magnitude ripples through entire communities, leaving a profound void that is difficult to put into words. To the fellow students feeling the weight of this incident within the Rohnert Park/Cotati school districts, please know that we stand with you in grief and support. As we approach Prom/Graduation season, we urge all parents to have open and honest conversations with their teens. This critical situation supports the vital importance of safe driving and the life-altering dangers of driving under the influence. Let’s work together to ensure our students reach these milestones safely. Please, look out for one another and always choose a sober path home. The involved vehicle is a silver Toyota Camry, traveling Eastbound before 1AM on San Marin Drive prior to the collision on 4/11. We are asking that anyone with additional information or surveillance video that captured the incident, please contact NPD Traffic Section by emailing trafficsection@novato.gov or by calling 415-897-4361. Stay safe out there Novato!

🚨MAJOR COLLISION INVESTIGATION: This morning (4/11) just before 1AM, Novato Police Dispatch received several 911 calls about a vehicle collision. Patrol officers responded to the intersection of San Marin Dr and Simmons Ln and came upon a solo vehicle accident. The Officers located five teens between 16 and 18 years old with major injuries. All five were transported to the hospital. The 17-year-old driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. One passenger was declared deceased at the hospital. The other passengers are still in serious and critical condition. Preliminary information suggests the occupants were not from Novato. Eastbound San Marin Dr was closed at Estado Way for several hours while Novato PD's Traffic Section and crime scene investigators completed their investigation. This incident is still under investigation. We understand that this is an incredibly difficult situation for all the families involved as they navigate the weight of this tragedy. If you observed the collision, please contact the Novato Police Department Traffic Section by calling 415-897-4361.

We want you — and everyone else — to get there SAFE! ❤️ ⚫ Turn on Do Not Disturb ⚫ Set an auto reply ⚫ Pull over in a safe spot Put the Phone Away or Pay

🚨COMMUNITY MEETING: Assembly Bill 481 Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, & Use Policy The Novato Police Department invites you to be a part of the discussion regarding California Assembly Bill 481 – Military Equipment Funding, Acquisition, & Use Policy. 📍Community Meeting Info: Thursday, May 7th: Police Advisory Review Board (PARB) - City Council Chambers 5:30pm. The military equipment discussion will include: ~ The Purpose of California Assembly Bill 481 ~ A Description of Military Equipment in use by NPD ~ An Update about the NPD Military Equipment Inventory ~ An Explanation of why the Equipment is Needed for Community Safety ~ A Review of the NPD Military Equipment 2025 Annual Report ​​​​​​​ More information can be found by visiting novato.org/AB481 *Please Note: the Agenda will be posted 72-hours before the meeting: novato.org/Agendas

Hoppy Easter, Novato! 🐰💐 Looks like the Easter Bunny decided to join NPD this year! Officer “Hare-ley” and the rest of the team are out on patrol ensuring everyone has a safe and egg-cellent weekend. An eggstra-special shout out to everyone working hard today to keep our community safe. You deserve a whole basket of treats! 🍭We appreciate you! 💙 🐣Happy hunting and stay safe! #NovatoPolice #EasterBunny #eastersafety #HareleyOnPatrol #Easter

☀️HEAT ADVISORY:💧Stay cool this week Novato! It's going to be a warm one. Heat Advisory through Friday. High temperatures in the 80s along the coast and upper 80s to mid-90s across the interior. 🔥Hot temperatures can affect health. The people most vulnerable include older adults, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, pets, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals with a chronic medical condition. Prepare for Extreme Heat: 💡 Plan ahead: prepare for possible power outages and create a buddy system to check-in on friends and neighbors. 💧 Stay cool: stay indoors as much as possible, avoid direct sunlight, take cool baths/showers, or visit an air-conditioned location for relief from heat. 🫗 Stay hydrated: Drink more fluids than usual but avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks. ℹ️ Stay informed: Monitor the ongoing forecast, know the signs of a heat-related illness, learn more tips for staying cool, and stay connected with emergency officials. 🏡Take care of each other: Check on other vulnerable family members and friends; do not leave anyone (adults, children or pets) in a parked vehicle during hot weather. 💻Learn how to prevent heat related emergencies: emergency.marincounty.gov

Greatly reduce your risk of a crash by practicing the simple stuff — like basic driving habits — every time you get behind the wheel. ⤵️

For people who are 65 or older, heat can be especially dangerous. Make a plan with a friend, relative, or neighbor who will call or come check on you twice a day while it is hot outside. Go to listoscalifornia.org to learn more.

☘️Novato Police Encourages Safe St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations☘️   As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Novato Police reminds everyone that the best way to celebrate the holiday is to plan ahead for a safe, sober way to get home. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,355 people were killed in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes in California in 2023.   “We want people to make St. Patrick’s Day memorable for all the right reasons,” said Sergeant Hall. “Before you raise a glass, make sure you’ve planned for a safe ride home, whether that’s a designated sober driver, rideshare, taxi or public transportation.”   🚔Officers will be on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.   ✨🌈 Plan for a Safe Celebration🌈✨ Before heading out for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, follow these tips to stay safe: 🍀Designate a Sober Driver: Choose someone ahead of time who will stay alcohol-free and make sure everyone gets home safely. 🍀Use Ridesharing Services, Taxis or Public Transportation: Rideshare apps and transit options are safe alternatives to driving if you’ve been drinking. 🍀Host Responsibly: If you’re hosting, offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options and make sure your guests have safe, sober rides home. 🍀Look Out for Others: Don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Take their keys and help arrange a safe ride. 🍀Never Drive Impaired or Distracted: It’s not worth the risk – your life and others’ lives depend on it!   🍺🍷Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. 💊Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products🪴and other drugs may also cause impairment. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.   Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the @OTS_CA, through the @NHTSAgov National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sometimes coffee just isn't enough. 🥱☕ On this National Napping Day, remind yourself that drowsy driving is dangerous. Take preventative steps to keep you and others SAFE!

🚨Man Arrested for Kidnapping a Child Earlier today (3/4), at 10:30am, Novato Police Officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Martin Drive. Officers learned the disturbance was a dispute between family members which resulted in a man kidnapping a 3-year-old child. The suspect was identified as Benjamin Buckley, a 39-year-old Novato resident, who was known to the child. It was reported that Buckley left the area with the child in a silver Saturn sedan. Novato Police Dispatch issued a countywide be-on-the-lookout (BOL) alert and initiated the protocol for a countywide roadblock to our law enforcement partners. As Novato Police Dispatch was in the process of issuing an Amber Alert, a Novato Police Officer on patrol spotted Buckley and the child exiting his vehicle on Center Road in Novato. Buckley was placed under arrest and later booked into the Marin County Jail for kidnapping, child abuse, and elder abuse. The child was located unharmed and was later reunited with their parents. A Marin County Judge authorized a bail enhancement to the amount of $500,000. A safe return is one of the greatest outcomes in cases like these. We are proud of our team for their work in locating the child quickly and safely, as every second counts. It's helpful to provide a clear photo of the missing or kidnapped person so we can share out to the community or with other agencies as needed. Sign up for emergency alerts by texting your zip code to 888-777 to receive updates on local incidents. If you see something suspicious, never hesitate to call 911 immediately. Your tip could be the piece of information that saves a life. Stay safe Novato! #npd #novatopolice #saferecovery #kidnapping #novato

Last night (3/2), around 9pm, NPD Officers were dispatched to a report of a hit-and-run collision on Marin Valley Dr. The person reporting the incident saw a dark colored vehicle that had struck multiple parked vehicles and was attempting to flee the scene. Officers responded and detained the driver who was identified as 64-year-old, Edwin Ortega-Moran. Ortega-Moran exhibited signs and symptoms of intoxication and was subsequently arrested. Ortega-Moran was later booked into the Marin County Jail on the charges of DUI, driving on a suspended license, hit-and-run, and not having insurance. A total of 5 parked vehicles were struck resulting in major damages estimated in the thousands of dollars. Driving under the influence puts everyone at risk and leaving the scene makes a dangerous situation even worse. These reckless decisions endanger lives, impact families, and will result in serious criminal consequences. 👀If you witness: • A possible impaired driver • A collision where a driver leaves the scene • Suspicious or reckless driving behavior 📞 Call 9-1-1 immediately. 📞 For non-emergencies, call 415-897-4361. Let’s work together to keep Novato’s roads safe. Drive responsibly. Plan ahead. Never drink and drive. #CommunitySafety #DriveSober #NovatoPD #SeeSomethingSaySomething #NPD

🚨CASE UPDATE: Over the weekend, Novato Police Detectives followed up on leads and examined evidence for the Highway 37 shooting. The suspect was identified as 34-year-old San Pablo resident, Donald Nunez Jr. With help from automated license plate readers and the San Francisco Police Department’s Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC), Novato Detectives tracked Nunez movements after he shot the victim. Detectives tracked Nunez to a residence in San Francisco, conducted surveillance, and wrote search warrants. On Monday (2/23), our detectives and the SFPD Tactical Team served a search warrant at a residence in San Francisco. Evidence of the crime was collected but Nunez was not found. At the same time, NPD detectives and members of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Investigative Unit were conducted surveillance at a residence in San Pablo. On Tuesday (2/24), the Marin Regional Crisis Response Unit (a SWAT and Negotiations team comprised of Novato, San Rafael, Central Marin, and Mill Valley police officers) served a search warrant at the residence in San Pablo. Several firearms were recovered, but Nunez was not found. Yesterday (2/25), Donald Nunez Jr turned himself in at the Novato Police Department. He was arrested without incident and will be booked into the Marin County Jail. A motive for this crime is still under investigation; however, this suspect and victim were acquaintances, and this appears to be an isolated incident. The Novato Police Department thanks our community members that came forward to provide information about this investigation. We appreciate the help of our partners at the @MarinSheriff's Office, @SanRafaelPolice, Central Marin Police Authority, @SFPD, @SanPabloPolice, and @RichmondPolice with this investigation.