SAN RAFAEL — A man who allegedly stole a car and returned it the same day landed in jail anyway. The suspect was arrested three blocks away from where the car was reported stolen.
On March 31, a resident who lives on the 100 block of Canal Street phoned the police twice. During the first call at 10:30 a.m., he reported his car was stolen from his driveway. He called back at 4:45 p.m. to report it was returned.
During the second call, the resident reported seeing a stranger parking the car in his driveway. He watched from inside his home and was able to provide a description of him.
At 10:45 p.m., a patrol officer spotted the suspect. He was walking on the 400 block of Canal Street. The suspect ducked inside an unsecured carport, where the officer located him hiding.
Interestingly, he had in his possession the keys to the stolen car. When questioned, the suspect claimed he had only borrowed the car, but the officer did not believe him.
Turns out, the suspect was wanted for two outstanding bench warrants. One was for possession of drug paraphernalia, and the other for attempting to destroy evidence involving another crime.
The suspect identified as Nolberto A. Maldonado-Rodas, 24 of San Rafael, was arrested at 11:13 p.m. Maldonado-Rodas was booked into Marin County Jail, where he remains in custody in lieu of $27,500 bond.
Besides the bench warrants, Maldonado-Rodas faces charges for vehicle theft and possession of stolen property (the keys). He also faces additional charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and for failure to register as a sex offender.
Coincidentally, Maldonado-Rodas has prior arrests on his record for vehicle theft, possession of illicit drugs and other offenses.
