Bank Robbery Suspect Shot By Marin Deputy Accused In 2 Other Heists
SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) -- The Marin County Sheriff's Office said the suspect of a Novato Bank robbery also is believed to have robbed two banks in Mill Valley.
Christopher Jay Wootton, 60 of Larkspur, is believed to have robbed the Bank of the West in Novato on Dec. 11, the Union Bank at 800 Old Redwood Highway in Mill Valley on Jan. 22, and Citibank at 101 Tiburon Blvd. in Mill Valley on Aug. 22, sheriff's Lt. Jamie Scardina said.
"These cases have been forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney's Office for a complaint request against Wootton for robbery," Scardina said.
Wootton was shot by a Marin County sheriff's deputy after a pursuit following the Novato bank robbery. Scardina identified the deputy on Wednesday as Donald Carpenter, a 7-year veteran of the sheriff's office.
San Rafael police are investigating the officer-involved shooting and Carpenter has been placed on paid administrative leave, Scardina said.
Wootton was released from Marin General Hospital Tuesday afternoon and was booked into the jail for one count of robbery and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Novato robbery, San Rafael police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher said.
Wootton's bail is $2 million and a date for his arraignment has not been set.
A sheriff's deputy followed the Novato bank robber's silver Saturn on U.S. Highway 101 and San Rafael streets until the Saturn crashed into a light pole in the 600 block of Las Gallinas Avenue near the Northgate Mall, San Rafael police said.
Wootton got out of the car and ran across the street with a gun in his hand, Rohrbacher said. Wootton suffered non-life-threatening injuries when he confronted the Carpenter and was shot, Rohrbacher said.
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