A Novato man was arrested after authorities said he threatened to shoot people at the Marin County Civic Center.
Robert Burwood Smith, 52, is being held in the Marin County Jail without bail. He was arrested Thursday on suspicion of making criminal threats and possessing illegal firearms, according to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s deputies began to investigate after a caller informed them he had third-hand information that Smith had threatened to shoot people at the Civic Center, sheriff’s Sgt. Brenton Schneider said.
The jail booking log lists Smith’s occupation as a Marin County maintenance worker.
Rosemarie Gaglione, the county’s public works director, did not respond to a request for comment.
Schneider said investigators substantiated the allegation that Smith had made credible threats to commit acts of violence via shooting and had access to firearms.
Deputies were able to make contact with Smith via telephone and Smith agreed to meet with them near the Marin Rod and Gun Club, Schneider said. Smith was arrested for criminal threats.
During the course of the investigation, deputies searched three locations associated with Smith, one in Novato and two in Richmond. Schneider said that they recovered a multitude of weapons, including a shotgun, pistols, rifles, assault rifles, unregistered “ghost” guns and ammunition.
In addition to the criminal threats allegation, Smith was booked on suspicion of being in possession of an assault weapon, possession of a firearm without a serial number and possession of a short-barreled rifle.
