Search Warrants Conducted- Suspected Gang Member Arrested

In April this year, a victim was assaulted by four individuals in San Rafael. The suspects used gang terms and stole the victim's cell phone. The case remained open while San Rafael Police continued their investigation.

In early July, the involved victim left his house in Novato and was confronted by two individuals. The two suspects commented about the previous robbery in San Rafael and pointed a handgun at the victim. Novato patrol officers responded and noticed a suspicious vehicle leaving the area upon their arrival. Officers pulled the vehicle over and detained the driver. The victim and a witness identified 20-year-old San Rafael resident Jhonny Cifuentes-Rodas as the suspect who attacked the victim and brandished a firearm. Cifuentes-Rodas was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail that night. The gun was not found.

Novato Police Detectives continued the investigation and later identified the second suspect as Alexander DeLeon Valenzuela, a 21-year-old resident of San Rafael.

Given the nature of the crimes and because the firearm was not located, Detectives requested assistance from specialized teams dedicated and trained in serving high-risk search warrants. Early this morning, members of the San Rafael-Novato Crisis Response Unit and Marin County Sheriff's Special Response Team conducted an operation and simultaneously served search warrants at two houses in Marin County.

Based on the investigation and evidence located during the search warrant operations, Alexander DeLeon Valenzuela was booked into Marin County Jail for suspicion of stalking, dissuading a witness, probation violation, conspiracy, committing a felony while on bail, and participating in a criminal street gang.

We are honored to work with our regional partners at the San Rafael Police Department, San Rafael Fire Department, Novato Police Department, Central Marin Police Authority, Mill Valley Police Department, Marin County Probation Department, Sonoma County Probation Department, and the Marin Humane Society for their assistance.