Police Search for Suspect After Rash of Car Thefts

Authorities are searching for an unknown suspect who is responsible for around a dozen car thefts in Gerstle Park last night.

Officers arrested one man suspected of tampering with the vehicles, and are still looking for an accomplice, who was entering unlocked cars along Knoll Road and rummaging through glove boxes in search of valuables.

Around 3 a.m. Friday morning, the received a call from a woman on Knoll Road who saw a man searching through her car with a flashlight. When officers arrived, they spotted a suspect walking down the street carrying a red backpack, according to Sgt. Lisa Holton.

When officers attempted to stop him, he dropped the backpack and fled northbound, jumping several residential fences. Unable to locate him, police set up a perimeter in the area.

During their search, they found another man hiding in the back seat of a car. When they attempted to arrest him, he fled over the north fence of a yard near Ross Street and Reservoir Road, where officers were waiting for him, Holton said.

Brad Ryan Nelson, 31 of San Rafael, was booked in on suspicion of tampering with a vehicle, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer.

The other man was described as a light-skinned adult male wearing a blue jacket.

Police are investigating possible links between these car thefts with two others that occurred on Grand Avenue yesterday, Holton said.

Her advice to car owners: “Don’t leave items of value in your car and keep your doors locked.”

Anyone with information about incident can call San Rafael police at 415-485-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIP. Callers can remain anonymous and may earn a possible reward.  Tips can also be made online at www.bayareacrimestoppers.com.