Marin Robbery Suspect in Custody Linked to 2 More Heists

Authorities on Wednesday tied a Novato Bank robbery suspect who’s already in custody to two more alleged Mill Valley heists, but have not yet identified Christopher Jay Wootton as the notorious serial robber known as the “Cotton Ball Bandit.”

The Mill Valley robberies are listed among the “Cotton Ball Bandit’s” alleged heists, according to the FBI.

NBC news on Dec. 12 confirmed that Wootten is the “Cotton Ball Bandit” who allegedly robbed 11 Marin County banks over a one-year period.

Wootton, 60 of Larkspur, is believed to have robbed the Bank of the West in Novato on Dec. 11, the Union Bank at 800 Old Redwood Highway in Mill Valley on Jan. 22, and Citibank at 101 Tiburon Blvd. in Mill Valley on Aug. 22, sheriff's Lt. Jamie Scardina said.

"These cases have been forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney's Office for a complaint request against Wootton for robbery," Scardina said.

Additional cases have been referred to the district attorney, San Rafael Police Department spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher said.

Wootton was shot by a Marin County sheriff's deputy after a pursuit following the Novato bank robbery. Scardina identified the deputy today as Donald Carpenter, a 7-year veteran of the sheriff's office.

San Rafael police are investigating the officer-involved shooting and Carpenter has been placed on paid administrative leave, Scardina said.

Wootton was released from Marin General Hospital Tuesday afternoon and was booked into the jail for one count of robbery and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Novato robbery, San Rafael police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher said. Wootton's bail is $2 million and a date for his arraignment has not been set.

A sheriff's deputy followed the Novato bank robber's silver Saturn on U.S. Highway 101 and San Rafael streets until the Saturn crashed into a light pole in the 600 block of Las Gallinas Avenue near the Northgate Mall, San Rafael police said.

Wootton got out of the car and ran across the street with a gun in his hand, Rohrbacher said. Wootton suffered non-life-threatening injuries when he confronted the Carpenter and was shot, Rohrbacher said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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