Chaos erupted in Marin County when a brazen strong-armed robbery at Macy's in Corte Madera led to a series of carjackings and high-speed pursuits across multiple jurisdictions, ending with the apprehension of the suspect in Richmond. According to the Central Marin Police, the incident began on March 17, when three suspects were involved in the initial theft, with one allegedly punching a store employee and threatening the possession of a gun before fleeing in a vehicle.
After a failed attempt to stop the suspect's vehicle led to a pursuit that was swiftly called off for safety reasons, two accomplices were nabbed by Macy's loss prevention and handed over to authorities. Dorothy McGriff and Alair Woodcock, the apprehended suspects, faced charges including commercial burglary and conspiracy, as detailed in a statement obtained by the Central Marin Police.
The fugitive, evading capture once the pursuit was terminated, turned up begging for a change of clothes and an Uber ride, as recounted by local residents. When a Sheriff's deputy spotted the suspect and attempted an arrest, the suspect resisted and fled into a home, playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with law enforcement who swiftly set up a perimeter and called in aerial support from the Sonoma County Sheriff's helicopter.
The pursuit took a new turn when the suspect broke into a house on Island Drive, swiped a vehicle, and led deputies on a second chase. He ultimately ditched the car and forced another driver at knifepoint to surrender their vehicle in downtown San Rafael, continuing an audacious escape attempt onto Interstate 580. With law enforcement in close pursuit and the helicopter tracking from above, the suspect was finally cornered and detained in San Pablo by Richmond Police officers, who responded to the pursuit.
Identified as 34-year-old Richard Contreras of Freemont, the captured suspect faces an array of charges including robbery, residential burglary, stealing a vehicle, carjacking, and resisting arrest, among others. Central Marin Police took custody of Contreras, ensuring his transport to the Marin County Jail. Concerned citizens or witnesses with relevant information have been directed to contact the Central Marin Police Authority for further details regarding the incident and subsequent arrest.
