Marin County was rocked by a dramatic chase and crime saga, where a suspected thief went on a reckless spree, spiraling from strong-armed robbery to car theft and carjacking through Marin, concluding in Richmond. At the chaos center was a determined suspect who led police officers across county lines, leaving the community in awe of the brazen and frantic events that unfolded.
According to the Marin Sheriff's Department, the ordeal began with a report of a robbery at Macy’s in Corte Madera on March 17, around 3:25 PM. The suspect, determined in punch a loss prevention employee and to have implied possession of a firearm, fled and sparked the initial pursuit. While police responded, they detained two other suspects at the scene, identified as Dorothy McGriff, 30, from San Rafael, and Alair Woodcock, 34, from Alameda, who were arrested for charges including commercial burglary and conspiracy.
In a nearby neighborhood, the main suspect compelled residents with his desperation, requesting a change of clothes and an Uber ride, only to be spotted by officers. Despite the Marin County’s Sheriff's Office's swift backup, the man resisted, dashed into a residence, and managed to slither away, effectively evading the deputies who gave chase, losing him into a neighboring yard.
Continuing to taunt law enforcement, the suspect then invaded an unoccupied residence, adding residential burglary to his resume of crimes, and swiped the homeowner's car – setting off yet another chase. With the overhead presence of the Sonoma County Sheriff's helicopter aiding in the pursuit, the game of cat and mouse dragged on into downtown San Rafael where, when cornered, the suspect conjured up a knife and carjacked a bystander. His fleeting trail crossed into Richmond, where ultimately, the Richmond Police collared the man.
The suspect, apprehended after a relentless pursuit by both land and air units, was identified as Richard Contreras, 34, of Freemont. He was slapped with a litany of charges, including robbery, carjacking, and evading arrest. "Arrested for robbery, residential burglary, stealing a vehicle, carjacking, repeat felony offender, resisting arrest, evading a police officer, and evading a police officer with disregard for safety," were booked thus against Mr. Contreras, as per the Central Marin Police Authority.
