Man Driving Stolen Car Caught a Few Hours after Drug Store Robbery
Photo: CVS at Bon Air
GREENBRAE — An armed man robbed a drug store and fled in a stolen car last weekend, but he was quickly apprehended. The Central Marin Police Authority took a suspect into custody only a few hours later.
At approximately 10 p.m. on September 8, a man walked into the CVS Pharmacy located at the Bon Air Shopping Center. He pointed what looked like a handgun at terrified employees.
Immediately, he jumped over the pharmacy counter and stole some prescription drugs. The crook also emptied the cash register. Then he ran outside to a car in the parking lot and sped away.
Despite everything happening so fast, employees were able to give police a detailed description of the man and getaway car. Moreover, witnesses saw him drive away on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, heading towards Highway 101.
Less than two hours later, police spotted a vehicle in matching the description of the one used in the robbery. Police pulled over the driver, which resulted in a brief struggle. Nevertheless, police arrested the man, and recovered a pellet gun nearby.
Joseph A. Stewart, 25 of San Rafael, was nabbed, near the intersection of Medway Road and Front Street in San Rafael. Police booked Stewart on a long list of open charges at Marin County Jail.
Stewart remains in custody in lieu of $675,000 bail. His charges include vehicle theft, exhibiting a firearm, robbery, burglary, battery on a police officer, and probation violation. His plea hearing is September 14.
As it happens, Stewart is no stranger to handcuffs and jail. His record includes 15 previous arrests for burglaries, thefts, and other offenses.
