NOVATO – Novato Police officer(s) stopped a vehicle for traffic enforcement in the 1800 block of Center Road on Friday night about 11 p.m. The stop subsequently lead to a search of the vehicle by a department canine team resulting in the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and related paraphernalia.
Two suspects were taken into custody and booked at the Marin County Jail. Brien C. Leary, a 47-year-old Novato resident, faces a felony charge of possessing a controlled substance and a misdemeanor for the possession of unlawful paraphernalia. He also faces a violation of probation charge. Leary, who lists his occupation as longshoreman, has been arrested several times previously. On February 28 of this year he was charged with false imprisonment and corporal injury on a spouse or co-habitant, in addition to marijuana cultivation. Records show at least two prior domestic violence arrests, along with violations of a court order. His bail has been set at $5000.
Novato Police K9 Ingo
Robert Belton, a 64-year-old Novato resident was the second man taken into custody. There is no additional bail or booking information available for Belton at this time. He listed his occupation as carpenter.
The Novato Police Department officers involved were Officer Carroll as well as Corporal Naugle and Ingo of the canine unit. The Novato Police Department currently has three canines that have been trained in the detection of narcotics.
