On August 2, 2020, at approximately 6:25 am, an unknown suspect vandalized numerous vehicles at the Marin Food Bank, 2550 Kerner Blvd.  The suspect poured an unknown acid type liquid in the gas tanks of five vehicles and caused in excess of $50,000 worth of damage.  The Marin Food Bank provided the police department with a photograph of the suspect walking about the parking lot.  The suspect was also captured on the building's security camera.   

San Rafael Police Detective Cheryl Kondratieff was assigned this case for follow up investigation.  After reviewing all the evidence, Detective Kondratieff was able to identify the suspect as Shahin Farman, a 38-year-old male with no fixed address.  Farman was known to law enforcement and was believed to be residing in his vehicle in the Northern Marin area (Novato and San Rafael).  His vehicle was also positively identified in the video surveillance and was believed to be an early 2000’s Dodge Caravan.  SRPD notified the Novato Police Department (NPD) that Farman was wanted in this case.

On August 10, 2020 at 2:00 pm, SRPD Detectives were notified that NPD had Farman detained around Redwood Blvd. and Olive Avenue in Novato.  Detectives responded to that location where they were able to interview Farman and search his vehicle for evidence related to the vandalism at the food bank. 

During the search of the vehicle, a large quantity of Muriatic Acid was located in his vehicle along with clothing which matched the video surveillance from the food bank vandalism.  NPD took out an additional case on Farman (NP 20-02350).  Please contact the NPD for further information on this case. 

Farman was booked by the Novato Police Department and the San Rafael charges were added to his booking (Felony Vandalism).

The San Rafael Police Department would like to thank the Novato Police Department for all their help and hard work in bringing to close this senseless act of vandalism against the Marin Food Bank.