Novato Man Arrested For 2nd Alleged Hate Crime In 1 Week

NOVATO, CA — Novato police arrested the same man for two alleged hate crimes in the span of one week, the department announced Tuesday.

Before his second arrest Saturday, police allege Brian Collins, 59, of Novato, was out on bail after being booked on suspicion of assault, criminal threats, and hate crime on Aug 2. In the first case, investigators accuse Collins of trying to ram a cyclist with his truck, threatening the victim's life, and using racial slurs.

On Saturday, officers located Collins after witnesses reported a man repeatedly harassing and using racial slurs toward a victim in the downtown area. He was rebooked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of stalking, threats, hate crime offenses, and committing a crime while out on bail.

"We are aware that this is the second time Collins has been arrested for similar charges within the past week," police wrote on Facebook Tuesday. "At this time, the Marin County District Attorney's Office has elected to file charges for both cases."

The police department urges community members to report hate crimes to dispatch at 415-897-4361 or by calling 911 if it is an active emergency. Hate crimes reports may also be filed online.