Meth, Firearm, Identity Theft Device Seized In Marin Auto Theft Bust

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A Marin auto theft investigation led the arrest of suspect with a criminal past and the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the seizure of drugs, a firearm and items associated with identity theft, authorities said.

Elisel Jesus Navarro, 27 of Richmond, was arrested Saturday on open charges and a warrant from San Mateo County, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said.

An investigation into the theft of a Range Rover in Larkspur earlier this month led detectives to Navarro’s residence, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Navarro tried to run away when detectives arrived, but he was arrested after a brief foot chase, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“Navarro is a convicted felon with a history of vehicle theft, burglary and fraud,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

“A search warrant for Navarro and his residence was obtained as part of our investigation.”

During the search deputies found the stolen Range Rover and a Chevrolet Camaro reported stolen from Pleasanton, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies also found a loaded handgun, methamphetamine, burglary tools, numerous pieces of stolen property, over 100 suspected stolen credit cards, a device used to create fraudulent credit cards, and numerous pieces of personal identifying information of people throughout the Bay Area, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies also found evidence tying Navarro to a recent string of Marin burglaries, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The auto theft investigation involved the Marin County Specialized Investigative Unit and the Central Marin Police Authority, the Sheriff's Office said.