# Stolen Car Driver Eludes Novato Police After Late-Night Chase
Novato saw some real late-night drama this week. Police are still searching for a suspect who ditched a stolen Hyundai Tucson in a school parking lot and took off running.
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The theft and wild chase happened Monday night. Authorities quickly sent out a shelter-in-place alert for nearby neighborhoods while they scoured the area, even bringing in a helicopter.
Vehicle Theft and Police Pursuit Details
It all started when someone reported a Hyundai Tucson stolen from Marin Valley Drive in Novato. This part of town usually feels pretty safe, especially compared to places like San Rafael or Mill Valley.
People move to Marin County for peace of mind. So, this kind of thing rattles folks more than you might expect.
Highway Chase and Abandoned Vehicle
California Highway Patrol officers spotted the stolen Hyundai heading north on Highway 101 near Nave Drive. That stretch is a busy link between Novato and the rest of Marin County.
Officers tried to pull the car over. The driver just hit the gas and took off instead.
Eventually, the chase led to Hamilton School’s parking lot. The suspect ditched the car there and ran across the sports fields toward Martin Drive.
This part of southern Novato, close to the Ignacio neighborhood, quickly became the center of a big police search.
Community Alert and Search Efforts
As things escalated, the Novato Police Department told people near Maingate Road and Martin Drive to stay inside around midnight. Shelter-in-place alerts like this don’t happen often in quiet towns like Novato or Corte Madera.
Air Support and Search Operations
Police didn’t mess around. They sent in:
Still, the suspect slipped away. Folks in western Novato and the Hamilton area are left uneasy, wondering where the guy went.
Suspect Description and Public Assistance Request
Police hope the public can help spot the suspect. Here’s what they’re sharing:
He’s a male, late teens or early twenties, with a mustache. Last seen in a black hoodie, white undershirt, and white shoes.
This description is making the rounds in Novato and other Marin towns like San Anselmo and Fairfax. If you see someone matching that, maybe give the police a call?
How Residents Can Help
The Novato Police Department really wants residents near Hamilton School and Martin Drive to check their home surveillance systems. If you spot anything that might show the suspect, that’s exactly what they’re hoping for.
These days, neighborhoods from Tiburon to Sausalito—pretty much all across Marin County—rely on home security cameras. Sometimes, those cameras end up holding the missing piece in cases like this.
If you have any information that could help identify or find the suspect, call the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361 and mention case #NP25-1527. People looking out for each other has always made a real difference in Marin.
While the investigation rolls on, folks in Novato and nearby areas should stay alert. If you notice anything odd, don’t hesitate—let local authorities know right away.
Here is the source article for this story: Driver Of Stolen Car Still Missing After Investigation In Marin County: Police
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