FAIRFAX
Bully: Police responded to the front desk at the White Hill Middle School where a parent was vociferously complaining about his daughter being bullied at school. She now is afraid to go to school. Service provided.
Sleeper: On Sept. 16, police contacted a man sleeping on the doorstep of a walkway at Bennett house on Taylor Avenue, blocking foot traffic. Service provided.
Traffic: Police talked to the driver of a Tesla who was out of his car in front of a downtown coffee shop talking to people while his car blocked the traffic lane. Told him to have a little courtesy of others, pay attention and move along.
Domestic Violence: Police responded to a text from a woman who said her husband hit her in the face and he was refusing to leave the residence. Service provided.
Bikers: A citizen called the cops on two 12-year-old kids riding their bikes on the grass at Rudy Contratti Field, thus damaging the grass. Service provided.
Screamer: On Sept. 19, police were called to the dumpsters behind Fairfax Theater on Broadway. A woman seemed to be having a mental episode, yelling wildly about things that made no sense. Service provided.
Vandals: The Pavilion on Bolinas Road was broken into on Sept. 20. Service provided.
MILL VALLEY
Car Theft: Police received a tip via a social media video post showing a group of girls at Tam High trying door handles of cars and, when finding a car open, rummaging through the car for stuff to steal. Police are investigating further. School notified, as well as parents.
Homeless: A homeless man was seen via camera setting up camp on the front porch of a residence on Miller Avenue. Police called. Camper gone.
Strange Noise: A fireplace insert in a home on Wainwright Place was making a strange noise on Sept. 25, so the resident called police and fire to inspect. Service provided.
Theft: A woman had her purse stolen from her car as she pumped gas. She said she had $50k worth of jewelry and other stuff in her purse.
Kids: A parent called Mill Valley’s finest because the daughter of the house is refusing to come home. Service provided.
On The Phone: The driver of a black Jeep was looking at his phone when he bumped into the car in front of him that was stopped at a red light on Blithedale Avenue. The driver who was hit said the guy had a bald spot on the top of his head and simply wasn’t paying attention to the road. After the bump, the driver fled the scene without so much as a “sorry” or to check to see if anyone was injured.
Stop Sign: A boy and girl riding bikes were seen blowing through a stop sign on Throckmorton. Police looked for the traffic scofflaws, but were unable to locate them.
Dine ‘n Dash: A 30-ish guy with a beard entered a restaurant on Panoramic Highway, ran up a $100 bill and then left without paying. Innkeeper thought the scofflaw was headed to Stinson. Service provided.
Yeller: A homeless man caused a ruckus in front of a store on Blithedale Avenue. Police were called to move him along, which they did. Ongoing public safety problem with this guy.
Homeless: A homeless man, described to police as having dreadlocks and wearing baggy pants, was seen rifling through the mail at a box on Throckmorton Avenue. He fled the scene when approached.
Almost Hit: A citizen walking on Surrey Avenue told police he was almost hit by a reckless driver. Police told him to stay on the sidewalk and out of the street.
Watching Kids: A concerned person told police that a guy in a car with an Uber sticker was hanging out in front of the school on Camino Alto and appeared to be watching kids. At one point, the driver tried to get a boy to get in his car and help him find his ear pods. Car eventually left without a passenger. Police keeping an eye on things.
NOVATO
AX MAN: In pre-dawn hours of Sept. 27, Novato Police Department Officers were dispatched to the report of a man in the Downtown Novato area swinging an ax and breaking out windows to a business near 1st Street and Grant Avenue. A second caller reported seeing a man with an ax near 7th Street and Grant Avenue and then an additional caller reported vandalism near Winding Way, all within a short period of time. It was also reported that the man encountered an on-duty Novato Fire Protection District employee and brandished an ax, prompting the employee to immediately contact NPD. Upon further investigation, NPD officers learned that the person involved was Bjorn Schwindt, a 28-year-old Novato resident. Officers responded to Schwindt’s residence to check on his welfare.
Upon arrival, officers observed Schwindt driving his vehicle into the driveway of his residence. Once contacted, Schwindt got out of his car holding an ax and a pipe in his hands. He then fled into the home and barricaded himself inside. Additional officers responded to assist and evacuated nearby residences while they attempted to negotiate with Schwindt.
A Nixle Alert was sent out alerting of police activity in the area. Members of the San Rafael-Novato Regional Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) responded to assist with negotiations. At 9:03 a.m., Mr. Schwindt surrendered peacefully and was safely taken into custody. Schwindt was transported to a hospital for treatment of self-inflicted injuries and will subsequently be booked at the Marin County Jail once cleared for assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a deadly weapon, vandalism and resisting arrest.
The Novato Police Department partners with Crisis Negotiators to assist our Patrol staff in high-risk crisis situations. We utilize these resources to help to de-escalate violent and potentially deadly situations. We work in partnership with the San Rafael Police Department to jointly staff a team of highly trained negotiators and mental health professionals specifically for challenging situations like these. If you or someone you know if experiencing a crisis, seek help right away. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency. The County of Marin’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be reached at 415-473-6666.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361 and reference Novato Police Case #23-3631.
SAUSALITO
Unlocked: An unlocked car parked on Spring Street was rifled through and shopping bag was taken. Service provided.
Diamonds: About $3,000 worth of diamonds in jewelry were missing on Fourth Street. The victim said they were taken or possibly the necklace, earrings and two rings fell to the ground while unpacking. Service provided.Not A Bathroom: A man living in a vehicle on Coloma Street continues to sleep in the car and pee and poop in the nearby area. He will be told by the police to stop it.
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