In Your Town for Dec. 9, 2025

NOVATO

Suspect booked in
theft at gas station

Police arrested a suspect on allegations he stole $500 in cash and $100 in tobacco products from a Novato gas station.

The crime happened at about 2:30 a.m. Nov. 28 at the Circle K at 374 Ignacio Blvd., according to Novato police Sgt. Alan Bates. The staff discovered money missing from the register, reviewed surveillance footage and saw a man stealing the items while the clerk was away from the counter. The thief left on a bicycle.

The business reported the theft to police on Dec. 2. Police reviewed the footage and recognized the man from previous contacts, Bates said. Police prepared a photo lineup, and the Circle K staff identified the suspect.

A patrol officer saw the suspect in the Hamilton area on Saturday, detained him, searched him and found drugs and paraphernalia. Rahman Romero Merz, 22, of Novato was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of burglary and drug possession. Merz remained in custody Monday in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Drivers arrested
at road checkpoint

Police arrested four suspects during a traffic checkpoint for intoxicated drivers in Novato.

The checkpoint occurred Friday night on South Novato Boulevard at Sunset Parkway, the Novato Police Department reported. Officers screened 345 drivers and pulled 23 aside for further investigation.

Police arrested three people for alleged intoxicated driving, including one person who was endangering a child. Officer also arrested a suspect whose license was suspended for intoxicated driving and who had an outstanding warrant in a hit-and-run case.

Police also cited 10 other drivers. One had a suspended license because of intoxicated driving. The others were not licensed.

The staffing for the checkpoint was funded by a grant program of the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

TIBURON

Board: Deck plan
must be altered

The Design Review Board has partially approved a deck project at 6 St. Gabrielle Court.

The project involves demolishing a 287-square-foot deck on the second floor and replacing it with a deck of about 600 square feet. The resident of a neighboring property on Lyford Drive opposed the plan, saying the deck would extend close to the property line and be a privacy infringement.

The board held a hearing on Thursday and endorsed a lot coverage variance but not a rear setback variance, said Neal Toft, the town planning director. He said the board “required the deck expansion be modified to be outside the rear yard setback and allowed in a more central location off the rear elevation.”

The vote was 3-0, with two board members absent.

In a separate project, the board voted 3-0 to approve a plan for a 238-square-foot addition and 76-square foot covered deck at 4875 Paradise Drive.