Man Living Offshore on Richardson Bay is Arrested, His Boat Towed Away
SAUSALITO — An unemployed man frequently in trouble with the law has been arrested on multiple charges and his derelict boat towed away. His latest troubles are the consequence of recent incidents on Richardson Bay.
Paul R. Smith, 53, was booked into Marin County Jail April 2. Smith faces multiple criminal charges, and he remains in custody in lieu of $305,000 bond. He has been living on a boat anchored offshore.
On March 18, Smith purportedly followed and fired a flare gun towards a harbormaster who was towing a boat. Authorities have been removing derelict boats anchored in Richardson Bay.
On March 23, Marin County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to contact Smith concerning the flare gun incident. Deputies went out to his boat and Smith allegedly produced a pistol pointing it at them.
Deputies traveled back to shore on their patrol boat, and subsequently obtained search and arrest warrants for Smith. Meanwhile, deputies kept him under surveillance whenever he went ashore.
On April 2, deputies returned to Smith’s boat, but he refused to surrender and there was an offshore standoff. When deputies attempted to board his boat, a boobytrap was set off—and there was a small explosion.
Smith also allegedly attempted to stab deputies with a pole with metal spikes attached. When Smith was finally subdued, deputies discovered that he was wearing a bullet proof vest.
Charges subsequently filed against him include exhibiting a firearm at an officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and obstructing/resisting an officer.
His record includes eight prior arrests in 2017 and 2018 for making threats of violence, disorderly conduct, among other offenses.
