Standoff Ends With Marin Car Theft Suspect’s Arrest

NOVATO, CA — A standoff that snarled traffic Tuesday afternoon ended with the arrest of a barricaded car theft suspect, Novato police said.

Jaris Wilcox, 35, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest, police said. He was booked into Marin County Jail.

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Officers at around 2 p.m. Tuesday responded to the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center on the report of a stolen vehicle, police said.

Officers located the suspect vehicle in the Cambridge Street area and initiated a “high risk” traffic stop, which are typically conducted when a vehicle is reported as stolen or when the stop may pose a significant risk, police said.

The driver ignored commands to stop and proceeded to drive around traffic in an unsafe manner, police said.

When the driver finally stopped to pull over he proceeded to barricade himself inside the vehicle, police said.

After determining man was not going to exit the vehicle willingly, the Novato/San Rafael regional Crisis Negotiation Team was summoned and the Armored Response Vehicle was deployed to assist with negotiations, police said.

Wilcox eventually surrendered to authorities after several hours of negotiations, police said.

“By using their de-escalation skill and other tools, a safe resolution was reached,” police said in a statement.

“No officers, community members, or the suspect were injured during this incident.”

Anyone with additional information related to this case is asked to call the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361.