Novato Police Department

10/05/2026

🚨Proactive Action Removes Illegal Fi***rm from Our Community

Last week, a Novato Police Detective observed a video on social media where Christopher Diaz, an 18-year-old Novato resident, displayed a fi***rm. In the video, the fi***rm appeared to be loaded with a high-capacity magazine. The Detective recognized Diaz and confirmed he was on Marin County Probation.

On Friday (10/2), NPD Investigators and a Marin County Probation Officer contacted Diaz at his residence in southern Novato. A probation search was conducted of a vehicle recently driven by Diaz with the assistance of NPD's K-9 Koda. A fi***rm and two loaded fi***rm magazines were found hidden inside the front passenger seat and appeared to match the one displayed in the social media video. Diaz was booked in to the Marin County Jail for charges related to the illegal fi***rm possession, delaying a peace officer, and possession of ma*****na by a person under 21 years of age.

🤝 We appreciate our partners at Marin County Probation for their assistance in this case. Inter-agency collaboration is vital to keeping our neighborhoods safe. The seamless teamwork between Novato Police and Marin County Probation ensured a coordinated response that removed an illegal fi***rm from our community before it could cause harm.

📲 Social media can be a useful tool, but public displays of illegal weapons, threats, or criminal activity pose real danger. If you see something concerning in person or online, please report immediately. Novato Police remains committed to reducing gun violence and keeping weapons off our streets through diligent investigation, proactive enforcement, and strong partnerships.

☎️ Anyone with information regarding illegal fi***rms or suspicious activity in Novato can call 415-897-4361 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Stay safe Novato!

10/02/2026

✅Training Complete!

Congratulations to Dispatcher Gilbert, Officer Indrebo, and Officer Stokes for successfully completing our Field Training Program!

They have worked hard through every phase of training and are ready to hit the ground running. All are looking forward to serving and protecting the Novato community.

Great work team! If you see them out and about in the community, make sure to give them a warm welcome and say hello.

10/01/2026

🚨Multi-Agency Operation Results in 6 Arrests, with Seizure of Drugs and Fi***rm

Yesterday (9/30), the Novato Police Department participated in a joint multi-agency operation focused on promoting community safety and ensuring compliance with the terms of release for parolees and probationers at specific locations in Novato and throughout Marin County. The operation included members of the Novato Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Special Services Unit, CDCR Office of Correctional Safety Fugitive Apprehension Team, Santa Rosa Parole, Marin County Probation AB 109 Unit, and Marin County Coordination on Probation Enforcement. Compliance checks were initiated, involving individuals currently on active parole or probation. Investigators seized drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a semi-automatic handgun. The following individuals were arrested:
🚔Eugene Cooper: 54-year-old Novato resident
🚔Ivan Reyes Lopez: 22-year-old Novato resident
🚔Jesse Hicks: 42-year-old Lagunitas resident
🚔Jovardo Diaz: 20-year-old San Rafael resident
🚔Jechivon Diaz: 23-year-old San Rafael resident
🚔Darwin DeLeon: 22-year-old Novato resident

All six individuals were booked into the Marin County Jail for violations of their parole or probation terms. Collaborative operations like these are vital to keeping Novato safe. By working closely with our county and regional law enforcement partners, we ensure accountability, support successful rehabilitation for probationers adhering to their conditions, and can reduce criminal activity before it impacts our residents. The Novato Police Department would like to thank all of the participating agencies and personnel for their cooperation and continued commitment to keeping Marin County communities safe. The Novato Police Department remains committed to maintaining open communication and fostering strong regional partnerships to protect our community.

Report suspicious activity: contact the Novato Police Department non-emergency line at (415) 897-4361. Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Stay safe Novato!

09/24/2026

🚨 While You Were Sleeping

Earlier this morning (9/24), around 2:30AM, a Novato Police supervisor observed a vehicle run a red light and drive erratically along San Marin Drive. The officer attempted a traffic stop and the driver fled onto northbound Highway 101 into Sonoma County. California Highway Patrol (CHP) Air and ground units took over the pursuit. They deployed spike strips on Highway 101 near Highway 12 in Santa Rosa, safely disabling the suspect’s vehicle in downtown Santa Rosa. The driver attempted to flee on foot as the car rolled to a stop, but officers we able to safely take him into custody.

The driver was identified as Emmanuel Olivares Islas, a 25-year-old Novato resident. Islas was booked into the Marin County Jail on the following charges:
* Felony evading an officer
* Resisting arrest
* Possession of a switchblade

🤝We appreciate our partners at CHP - Marin, CHP - Santa Rosa, and the CHP - Napa Air Unit for their coordination and assistance in creating a positive outcome in this case. Report suspicious activity when it’s occurring by calling 415-897-4361 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. Stay safe Novato!

09/22/2026

09/21/2026

🚨Secure Their Future with the Proper Car Seat

During Child Passenger Safety Week, Novato Police encourages all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding safely by using the correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts. This annual campaign takes place from September 21-27 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of car seat safety and proper installation.

The California Highway Patrol has certified child passenger safety technicians available to check car seat installations. Technicians teach parents and caregivers how to install the car seat correctly, as well as educate them on the appropriate seat based on the child’s age and size.

“When it comes to protecting our youngest passengers, there is no room for guesswork,” Sgt. Trevor Hall said. “Child Passenger Safety Week is a good reminder of how critical it is to choose the right car seat and ensure it is installed properly.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused. Properly installed car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4. Child Passenger Safety Week concludes with National Seat Check Saturday on September 26.

Current California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Once a child reaches these milestones, all children under the age of 8 years old are still required to be secured in a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat. Children 8 and older, or who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

As of January 1, 2027, AB 435 requires children ages 8 to 16 years old to pass all steps of the “Five-Step Test”` before they can safely use a seat belt without a booster seat. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the Five-Step Test as a guide, before it becomes law in 2027, to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.

To learn more about CHP car seat program, visit: www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/child-safety-seats/

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

09/19/2026

Marin SAR is currently searching for a missing person alongside and if you live in the area please check any cameras you have and your yard.

09/17/2026

🚨Protecting Pedestrians: California Urges Drivers to Stay Alert This September

As September is Pedestrian Safety Month, Novato Police would like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By always taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community.

In California alone, 1,090 people were struck and killed while walking in 2024, which accounted for 28% of all traffic fatalities.

“Everyone, regardless of how they travel, deserves to arrive at their destination safely," Sgt. Trevor Hall said. "Drivers play a critical role in keeping people walking safe. By staying focused and slowing down, especially in areas where there are more people walking, we can help prevent crashes and put safety first on every trip.” Pedestrians do not have the same protections as drivers and passengers. It’s important to slow down and follow the speed limit while driving. Speed increases increase the severity and impact to someone walking and hit in a crash.

To promote pedestrian safety, Novato Police will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month (including next Friday 9/25), to focus on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of pedestrians at risk. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and running stop signs or signals.

🚔Novato Police offers safe driving and walking tips when behind the wheel or walking:

Drivers
🚗Know and follow the speed limit.
🚗Slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for people walking at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
🚗Never drive impaired.
🚗Avoid distractions such as using a mobile device, deep conversations with passengers or eating while driving. Keep your focus on the road.
🚗Be extra cautious at night or when driving conditions are less than optimal such as in rainy or foggy weather.

Pedestrians
🚸When available, use marked crosswalks at signals where drivers anticipate foot traffic.
🚸Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
🚸Look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
🚸Be visible at night – consider wearing bright colors, reflective material or using a flashlight.
🚸Don’t wear headphones or talk on the phone while crossing the street.

➡️Visit gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.

ℹ️Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.