Barber Brandishing a Knife Arrested at Novato Fair Shopping Center Dollar Tree Store
NOVATO, CA — Police arrested an off-duty barber carrying a knife during a commotion at Novato
Fair Shopping Center on June 15. Joseph M. Morales, 41, of Santa Rosa, remains in custody
at Marin County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond.
A patrol officer observed Morales acting erratically at 12:30 p.m., suspecting that he was
under the influence of drugs. The officer contacted Morales outside the Dollar Tree store,
where the store manager told Morales that he was not welcome.
“Regardless, Morales entered the store against the manager’s and the officer’s directions,”
Novato police said in a prepared statement.
The officer followed Morales and immediately ordered him to leave the store. Next, Morales
reportedly pulled a knife pointing it directly at the officer. Customers and staff were evacuated,
and backup units responded. Dollar Tree was cordoned off for more than 20 minutes.
Police convinced Morales to surrender himself following a tense standoff. Calm was restored
when Morales finally dropped the knife, and he was placed under arrest at 12:56 p.m.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Morales was booked on open charges for obstructing/resisting an officer, exhibiting a deadly
weapon/not a firearm, disorderly contact, and trespassing.
Morales has had recurrent contact with police in nearby Sonoma County in recent years.
Santa Rosa police arrested Morales three times in 2024. He was convicted for burglary and
trespassing in December 2024, sentenced to two years of probation.
– by Jim Emerson
