San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Probation Department conducted a multiagency operation on May 3 targeting 26 offenders on supervised probation for alcohol related offenses. One arrest was made in Novato for a violation of probation and three other residents were found with alcohol in their residence.
Probation Officer Tony Raitano dumps out a bottle during a compliance check.The operation, led by the department’s
Special Programs Unit, was conducted in the afternoon and evening with the assistance of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation K-9 Officers.
Two teams split up across the county to conduct extensive searches of residences and vehicles belonging to DUI offenders. The operation was conducted to ensure community safety with the approaching weekend and Cinco de Mayo holiday.
A Novato woman on supervised probation for DUI charges was arrested. Upon contact with the resident, officers suspected that she had just been driving as she was contacted while unloading groceries from her vehicle. She claimed she had just been dropped off by a friend, but attempts to locate the friend were unsuccessful.
During a search of the woman’s vehicle, she was found in possession of two large bottles of tequila and a pre-mixed margarita bottle. She was booked into Marin County Jail.
Three other residents on active supervised probation were found with alcohol within their home, and petitions will be filed for the court to determine the proper sanction for those violations of probation.
“This was a preplanned event and these unannounced probation searches on DUI offenders will occur on a regular basis,” said Deputy Probation Officer Tony Raitano. “In light of the tragedy that occurred in Sleepy Hollow recently in which a pedestrian was killed by a suspected DUI driver, all people should be diligent in speaking out against driving while intoxicated.”
The Probation Department is committed to focusing resources on both community safety and the rehabilitation of those who enter the criminal justice system. Addiction issues are prevalent in Marin and are often at the root of people running afoul of the law. The county has one of the highest rates of excessive drinking and binge drinking among all California counties, according to the most recent county health rankings. Early intervention by family and friends is encouraged when needed. The County offers resources on the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services website.