Photo: Parker under arrest
POINT REYES STATION — A robbery suspect was recently arrested as Marin County Sheriff’s Office deputies were organizing a community event. The suspect was nabbed on National Night Out, an annual event held on the first Tuesday of August.
National Night Out events are hosted by law enforcement agencies in more than 400 communities in California. They are intended for the public to meet with police informally. The goal is crime reduction through building community, but the suspect apparently had other plans.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a 911 caller reported a cashier was robbed at the Palace Market, located at 11300 Shoreline Highway. The caller told a dispatcher that the cashier was assaulted during the robbery.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Point Reyes Substation is only about 800 feet away from the store. Deputies already outside for the event responded instantaneously.
The suspect was being pursued by one brave store employee, but deputies took over the pursuit. Deputies quickly outran the suspect, who stands 5-foot, nine inches tall, but weighs 235 pounds.
The suspect is 67-year-old David B. Parker of San Rafael, who has had several recent encounters with police. Parker was uncooperative and he was taken into custody after a brief struggle with deputies.
Parker was booked into Marin County Jail by 10:50 p.m. He remains in the county lockup in lieu of $50,000 bond. His charges are robbery and resisting or obstructing an officer.
This marks the fifth time Parker has been arrested so far this year. His previous arrests involve public intoxication, trespassing and public nuisances. He was already in a special diversion program which is at risk of being revoked.
