San Rafael Man Disrupted Novato Ramadan Gathering, Police Allege

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A San Rafael man was arrested Tuesday morning after police allege he disrupted a Ramadan gathering at the Islamic Center of North Marin and pepper sprayed a man who intervened.

Police said the victim called 911 around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday to report the disturbance. He told investigators a man carried a bag into the center and exposed something that looked like a gun. According to police, the victim said he attempted to restrain the man to keep him away from the bag and was pepper sprayed during the struggle. Investigators said the incident was captured on surveillance and showed the man grab the bad and flee the area.

Arriving officers set up a perimeter with aerial support from the California Highway Patrol and searched for the man while the victim received treatment for minor injuries. Police said additional investigation identified David Margoliash, 48, of San Rafael as the suspect.

Novato police arrested Margoliash Tuesday morning and detectives alleged a search warrant revealed evidence that "further implicated him in the crime." Investigators have not located a firearm.

Police officials said a preliminary investigation suggested the center was not "explicitly targeted," and there was insufficient evidence to pursue hate crime charges. Margoliash was booked into jail on suspicion of unlawful possession of pepper spray and disrupting a religious ceremony.

"Novato Police Department is committed to protecting the rights of our community members to worship peacefully, safely, and without fear," the department wrote in a Facebook post. "We work closely with local religious leaders to partner on safety strategies."