San Rafael, CA – On 11/18/23, SRPD officers arrested Israel Alonzo Taperia, a 21-year-old San Rafael resident, after he attempted to rob a male victim while threatening to use a sizeable 12-inch kitchen knife.  Officers went to stop Taperia, and he fled on foot and placed police officers in danger with the knife.  Officers were forced to use a Taser device to stop Taperia and take him into custody.  Taperia was booked into the Marin County Jail on several felony charges, which included felony attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Just after 6:35 PM, SRPD received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a male suspect, identified as Taperia, attempted to rob a male victim while threatening to use a knife in the unit block of Medway Road in San Rafael.   

Officers arrived within minutes, located the victim, and were told that Taperia was walking away on Medway Road toward Francisco Boulevard East.  The victim reported that Taperia approached him, demanded his money, and threatened his life while holding a large knife.  The victim refused to comply with Taperia’s demands and walked away.

Additional SRPD officers arrived in the area and located Taperia.  Officers ordered Taperia to stop and used de-escalation techniques in an effort to gain his cooperation.  Taperia refused to comply and ran away from the officers while holding the knife.  Officers gave chase as Taperia ran into the street on Francisco Boulevard East.  Taperia was still holding the knife when he turned around and ran between the officers.  Taperia was a clear and present danger to the public’s safety and the officers, and an officer was forced to use a Taser device, which successfully stopped Taperia.

Officers arrested Taperia and recovered the large kitchen knife.  San Rafael Fire was called to the scene to check Taperia after the Taser device was used.  After Taperia received medical care, he was booked into the Marin County Jail for felony assault with a deadly weapon, felony attempted robbery, criminal threats, and resisting and failing to comply with officers.  The victim was not physically injured in this case.