A driver who allegedly attempted to ram a bicyclist with his truck while shouting racial slurs has been apprehended and charged with hate crimes, as reported by the Novato Police Department. Patrol officers responded to a report of an individual attempting to hit a bicyclist with a truck.
Upon finding the victim near his home, officers conducted an interview. The victim alleged that a man in a pickup truck accosted him on Fourth Street, accusing him of stealing his bicycle. According to the victim and witnesses, the suspect threatened the victim’s life and used racial slurs as the victim fled the scene.
The victim provided a description of the vehicle and the suspect, leading officers to locate the truck, which was unoccupied at the time. At around 5:30 p.m., the driver came to the Novato Police Department and was interviewed by detectives.
The driver, identified as 58-year-old Novato resident Brian Collins, was subsequently arrested and booked into Marin County Jail. Collins has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and hate crimes.
This incident underscores the gravity with which hate crimes are treated. The swift apprehension and charging of the suspect serve as a reminder that such actions are unacceptable and will be met with strict legal repercussions.