Date and Time: April 2, 2015 at 12:21 AM
Location: Corte Madera Ave, Corte Madera
Suspect Arrested: Ronald Eric Bjarnason, Age 59, Piercy, California
On 04/2/2015 at approximately 12:21 AM, Central Marin Police Authority Dispatch Center received an automated distress call from a vehicle’s impact warning system advising the vehicle’s location was on Corte Madera Avenue near Chapman Dr in Corte Madera. CMPA Officers responded to the scene to find a BMW sedan had collided with the guard rail resulting in major damage to the vehicle. Officers found the vehicle empty and there was blood evidence at the scene. As one of the Officers was checking the downhill slope where the vehicle came to rest, he heard rustling in the bushes, believing the driver had fled the area on foot.
An extensive search of the area was conducted to check the welfare of the driver, but Officers were unable to locate anyone in the area. While searching the neighborhood, a homeowner advised he had checked his surveillance system and recorded a subject fleeing through his property just after the accident. During a search of the collision area, items linked to the suspect and vehicle, were found along the route where the driver had fled. One of these items was a large duffle bag, which was found to contain approximately 13 pounds of processed marijuana, bagged for transportation.
The driver was later located in Mill Valley where he was subsequently taken into custody and booked into the Marin County Jail for 20002(A)(1) CVC - Hit and Run, 11359 H&S – Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 11360(A) Transportation of Marijuana after being medically cleared.
Further investigation led Detectives to a search of the suspect’s home in Mendocino County. The search warrant was conducted by CMPA Investigations, the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force, and the Central Marin Special Response Team. Approximately 2,000 marijuana plants, several pounds of cultivated marijuana, “Mollie” (MDMA – Ecstasy), evidence of psilocybin (mushroom) cultivation, weapons, and cash were discovered.
Further charges are pending against Bjarnason.
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Prepared by Corporal M. Mejia/ Z. Feleo
