What should have been a simple purchase at the Novato Chipotle location on Monday turned into an arrest on fraud and illicit drug charges, as detailed in a press release by Sergeant Jenner of the Novato Police Department.
Chipotle customer Violet Felecity Bloomfield, 32 of San Rafael, attempted to pay for her meal with a credit card in a transaction that employees determined was fraudulent. Police responded quickly to the restaurant at 888 DeLong Avenue, just up the street from the department headquarters.
Novato PD Officer Ames and canine Metz determined that Bloomfield was carrying not only fraudulent credit cards, but also a substance suspected to be methamphetamine and related drug paraphernalia. Ames subsequently arrested Bloomfield on these possession charges.
NPD is not releasing any additional information on the arrest at this time because the investigation is ongoing, according to Novato PD Lieutenant Jennifer Welch. However, records show that Bloomfield, who lists her occupation as a legal secretary, was arrested just a week prior, on January 6, on charges of possession of stolen property, a controlled substance, and “defrauding an innkeeper” – which usually means skipping out on a motel bill. As a result, her arrest this week also includes a charge of committing an additional offense while out on bail.
Police Dog Metz is one of three NPD canines specifically trained to detect narcotics.
