Bay Area

Multiple Agencies Coordinate to Arrest Serial Armed Robbery Suspect

A man suspected of being a serial armed robber was arrested near San Quentin State Prison on Monday, the San Rafael Police Department said. Corey Brian Gill, 33, of San Rafael, was apprehended with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies.

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2023

Oakland Post

The City of San Rafael Calif. Police Department logo. (San Rafael Police Department via Bay City News)

By Bay City News

A man suspected of being a serial armed robber was arrested near San Quentin State Prison on Monday, the San Rafael Police Department said.

Corey Brian Gill, 33, of San Rafael, was apprehended with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies.

On June 13, San Rafael Police began investigating a series of robberies, beginning with one at a gas station at about 3 a.m. that day. The suspect allegedly went to the Fuel 24:7 gas station at the corner of Las Gallinas Avenue and Del Presidio Boulevard in Terra Linda and robbed the clerk while brandishing a handgun. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash and merchandise, police said.

The suspect was described as white man with a medium build who was wearing a gray sweatshirt, black vest, light-colored pants and a black hat, with a surgical mask over his face. He was seen fleeing in a dark-colored SUV.

Then on Sunday at 1:20 a.m., San Rafael Police responded to another robbery at the Chevron station on Del Presidio in Terra Linda. A similarly described suspect allegedly confronted the clerk with a handgun and demanded cash and gas. During the encounter, the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and then forced the clerk to walk to a gas pump, where he filled the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect then fled, police said.

Later that day, Novato Police contacted SRPD to report that a suspect matching the description of the San Rafael robberies had robbed a restaurant.

At 7 a.m., the suspect allegedly entered the Panera Bread restaurant in Novato brandishing a handgun, ordered the employees into a back office and demanded money. He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Novato Police said they obtained surveillance footage of the same suspect’s vehicle leaving the area.

On Monday just before 6 a.m., a San Rafael Sergeant saw a vehicle that appeared to match the suspect’s SUV on Fourth Street and Grand Avenue. When the vehicle allegedly committed a minor traffic offense, the officer attempted to stop it. As the officer turned on his emergency lights, the vehicle sped away and police began a pursuit. The chase went down Francisco Boulevard East and ended in the area of Lecante Drive and Main Street near San Quentin State Prison. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled into the residential neighborhood.

A perimeter was created by police to try to contain the suspect. Since the suspect was known to be armed with a handgun, San Rafael Police and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office told nearby residents to shelter in place.

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, SRPD asked for assistance from the Novato Police, the Central Marin Police Authority, the California Highway Patrol and authorities at San Quentin State Prison. The Sheriff’s Office employed drones to try and locate the suspect as well. Crisis teams readied a response with negotiators and tactical teams.

As teams prepared to begin their search, a vehicle with the suspect trying to hide in the backseat approached a police perimeter checkpoint near Main Street and Interstate Highway 580, police said.

Officers said that the woman driving the car was acting “suspiciously” as she stopped for them. When officers peered into the back seat, they allege they saw the suspect trying to hide under a blanket.

Gill was then taken into custody without incident. Police said that he had an outstanding warrant out of San Francisco connected to an armed robbery from May. San Francisco Police sent two detectives to Marin, SRPD said.

Officials at San Quentin State Prison searched the nearby neighborhood and allegedly found Gill’s discarded clothes a block from where he fled from his vehicle. Marin Search and Rescue later located the discarded handgun, which was determined to be a replica BB gun. The replica allegedly matched the appearance of the gun used in the armed robberies.

Gill was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of armed robbery, kidnapping, felony evading, felony possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanor narcotics possession. He will also face extradition to San Francisco for his armed robbery warrant.

Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Repair Plans for Damaged McNears Pier Move Forward with Board of Supervisors Vote

Don't Miss

Losing Income Chief Cause of Homelessness, UCSF Study Finds

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”