SAN RAFAEL – According to a Press Release issued by the San Rafael Police Department (SRPD), the Bank of Marin branch located at 1101 Fourth Street in San Rafael was robbed at approximately 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 2.
San Rafael Bank of Marin
Witnesses reported that a black male used a handgun in committing the crime. He was described as about 40 years old, 6’0 tall with a scruffy beard, and had last been seen wearing a dark colored shirt with a cartoon basketball player design on the front, a dark hoodie, black leather jacket, blue jeans and a baseball style hat in red and white with a 49er’s logo on the front .
At approximately 11 am, two SRPD officers saw a person matching the suspect’s description at the San Rafael Transit Center three blocks away from the bank. Due to the proximity of the crime, the similar clothing, and physical description of the suspect, the officers contacted the man to determine if he was involved with the robbery.
Captain Glenn McElderry and Lieutenant Alan Piombo contacted the suspect, who initially complied with the their requests. But he then became uncooperative and reached for a bag that he had put on the ground when initially contacted, and tried to get away.
With knowledge of the armed robbery nearby, the matching descriptions, and the suspect no longer complying with the officers, they took him to the ground to prevent his escape. While the suspect resisted officers as they tried to handcuff him, they saw a semi-automatic pistol in his waistband. The handgun was removed and the suspect was handcuffed.
Williams was found at the San Rafael Transit Center
The handgun had a loaded round in the chamber and additional ammunition was in the magazine of the gun. Additional ammunition was found in the bag that the suspect was trying to keep from the officers.
After his arrest, the suspect had to be carried to the police vehicle because he refused to walk on his own. He was checked for injury by the San Rafael Fire Department upon arrival at the police station, and was found to be uninjured. Witnesses from the bank robbery were unable to identify him as the robbery suspect, but a warrant check revealed that the man was also wanted for a homicide in Richmond, California. The suspect was identified as John Williams, a 36-year-old man from San Rafael.
Records show that Williams was also arrested by Berkeley Police in August of 2014 for driving on a suspended license and failure to appear in court. A week later he was charged by Oakland police with misdemeanor battery on a spouse, former spouse or co-habitant.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call San Rafael Police at 415-485-3000. All languages will be accommodated. Callers can remain anonymous and may earn a possible reward. Tips can also be made online at www.bayareacrimestoppers.org or www.srpd.org/tips.