In the quiet pre-dawn hours, most of Terra Linda was fast asleep. But a cluster of small businesses at Northgate One in San Rafael became the latest reminder that even close-knit Marin County neighborhoods aren’t immune to crime.
This blog post digs into what happened at the Northgate One shopping center. It also takes a look at how longtime business owners are reacting, and what it might mean for residents from San Rafael to Novato, Fairfax, Mill Valley, and beyond.
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Overnight Burglary Spree Shakes Northgate One in Terra Linda
Around 3:15 a.m. Saturday, five businesses at the Northgate One shopping center in Terra Linda got hit in a rapid burglary spree. The center sits just off Las Gallinas Avenue in northern San Rafael—a familiar spot for folks from Terra Linda, Lucas Valley, and southern Novato who swing by for coffee, ice cream, or daily errands.
San Rafael police officers spotted the suspects as they fled in what looked like a stolen vehicle. The chase headed toward Interstate 580 and east toward Richmond, but officers decided to call it off for safety reasons. That’s a tough call law enforcement faces more and more in Marin and the greater Bay Area.
Police haven’t yet shared what was taken from most of the affected businesses.
Jelly Donut Owner Confronts Burglars in the Kitchen
Among the shops targeted, the Jelly Donut shop at Northgate One stands out for what didn’t happen. Burglars smashed the glass front door, but inside, owner Viengkham Nettavong was already working in the kitchen.
When Nettavong confronted the intruders, they bolted without taking anything. In places like Terra Linda and nearby San Anselmo or Larkspur, donut shops are more than businesses; they’re early-morning hangouts where coaches, teachers, and commuters grab a coffee before heading down Highway 101.
Nettavong’s presence probably saved the shop from a bigger loss. Still, the broken door and the shock of that encounter aren’t easy to shake off.
Silbermann’s Ice Cream: A 60-Year Fixture Hit Again
Just a few doors away, the burglars shattered the glass door at Silbermann’s Ice Cream, one of Terra Linda’s most beloved spots. Owner Curtis Silbermann said the thieves stole the shop’s cash box.
For families from San Rafael, Novato, and even Fairfax and Tiburon, Silbermann’s is a tradition; kids who grew up with cones there now bring their own children. Silbermann mentioned that the shop, open for nearly 60 years, has faced similar break-ins about once every decade.
That perspective is common among veteran shopkeepers in Marin—from downtown San Rafael’s Fourth Street to Mill Valley’s Miller Avenue. Even so, every incident stings.
Business Community Regroups Across San Rafael and Marin
The Northgate One complex has about two dozen businesses, many of them small, family-run operations. These shops count on early-morning and weekend foot traffic from Terra Linda, Lucas Valley, and the broader San Rafael area.
A multi-business burglary in a single night isn’t just about broken glass. It means lost income, insurance headaches, and employees who feel on edge.
San Rafael police detectives are working closely with nearby law enforcement agencies—from Richmond across the Bay to Marin agencies like Novato Police and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. This kind of regional collaboration is crucial as suspects move quickly along I‑580 and Highway 101, connecting Marin to the East Bay and San Francisco.
Security, Surveillance, and the Marin County Response
Business owners at Northgate One and in commercial districts across Marin—whether it’s downtown Novato, Bon Air in Greenbrae, or Strawberry Village near Mill Valley—are rethinking the basics of security. Many are looking at upgrades and best practices, including:
Residents from Terra Linda to Ross and Belvedere can help by staying alert, supporting affected businesses, and reporting anything suspicious. Those late-night and early-morning hours are when most break-ins seem to happen—something worth remembering.
Resilience in Terra Linda and Beyond
For a county that prides itself on safety, open space, and strong community ties, incidents like this burglary spree at Northgate One hit a nerve. They really challenge the sense of ease that draws people to San Rafael, Novato, and the smaller towns tucked along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
But what do we see, time after time, in Marin? From flood recovery in San Anselmo to wildfire prep in Mill Valley, resilience keeps showing up.
At Northgate One, the Jelly Donut shop gets back to work before dawn. Silbermann’s Ice Cream keeps scooping for families after school, and neighboring shops open their doors again.
The message from Terra Linda to the rest of Marin County? Crime might rattle these communities, but it sure doesn’t define them.
Here is the source article for this story: San Rafael businesses hit in burglary spree
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