Domestic Violence Suspect Jumps Into Bay to Avoid Capture

Domestic Violence Suspect Jumps Into Bay to Avoid Capture

Area of 27 Larkspur, San Rafael | Google Maps

SAN RAFAEL – According to a recent Press Release issued by the San Rafael Police Department (SRPD), department dispatch received a call from a woman who said that her boyfriend assaulted her and took her car.

The victim said she drove her boyfriend to his place of employment at 27 Larkspur Street in San Rafael to pick up his paycheck. When the suspect got out of the vehicle he took the keys from the victim so she would not leave him at work. When the boyfriend returned to the vehicle a struggle ensued over the car keys.

The suspect climbed into the vehicle on top of the victim while she remained in the driver’s seat. He pulled her hair and grabbed the keys from her hand while the victim got out of her vehicle and the suspect drove away from the area.

San Rafael Fire Department arrived on scene and made contact with the 24-year old female victim from San Pablo. The suspect returned to the scene in the victim’s vehicle and attempted to coax her back into the car. At that time, SRPD Officers had arrived and were directed to the suspect as he once again fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

SRPD officers attempted to stop the suspect as he again drove away from the area. He drove at in excess of 70 mph on East Francisco Blvd toward Main Drive where he lost control of the vehicle and collided into another car occupied by a solo driver, a 53-year old female from San Rafael.

She complained of neck pain following air bag deployment from the head-on collision and was transported to the hospital for further examination.

The suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle and ran toward San Quentin and then jumped into the San Francisco Bay on the south side of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. He refused Officers commands to come out of the water and demanded to have his girlfriend brought to the scene.

The California Highway Patrol, Marin County Sheriff’s Department, San Rafael Fire Department and Larkspur Fire Department responded to assist as needed. The U.S. Coast Guard provided special assistance with Swift Rescue Boat Crew and a helicopter.

SRPD negotiators talked to the suspect as he stood in waist-deep water for nearly an hour before being taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the hospital for medical clearance prior to booking at Marin County Jail.

The suspect was identified as Curtis Myron Odom, a 22-year old resident of San Pablo. Odom was booked on numerous charges, including domestic battery, vehicle theft, felony evasion, hit & run, and violation of parole conditions.

Domestic Violence Suspect Jumps Into Bay to Avoid Capture was last modified: August 4th, 2016 by admin
Categories: Marin

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Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh is a Petaluma based freelance writer whose work is published on bay area AOL Patch sites. His prior experience includes writing for utility and recycling industry publications and newsletters.