In November 2023, Novato resident, Richard Trieber was arrested by the Marin County Specialized Investigative Unit (SIU) for possession of narcotics for the purposes of sales. At the time of his arrest, he had a loaded and unregistered Glock 9mm pistol concealed in his waistband.

During follow-up investigation, an SIU detective found evidence that supported his belief that Trieber was involved in the sales of narcotics in the County of Marin and that he possessed several other firearms including an AR-15 rifle. Through on-going surveillance and other investigative steps, the detective from SIU identified a residence where he believed Trieber lived and was using as a home base for narcotic sales was on Poplar Drive in Novato. A search warrant for that residence, Trieber, and Trieber’s car was obtained.

In early December 2023, before detectives from SIU could serve the search warrant, Novato PD took a criminal threats case where Trieber was the suspect. According the victim case, Trieber threatened him with an AR-15 rifle. Novato PD shared this information with SIU and both agencies worked together in order to safely apprehend Trieber.

On 12/8/23, SIU detectives contacted and detained Trieber on Bellam Avenue in San Rafael and initiated the service of the search warrant. When detectives searched Trieber’s home, they found a bag of various drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and ketamine under a couch cushion in the living room. Also concealed under the cushion and on top of the bag of drugs was a loaded and unregistered AR-15 rifle. In addition to the drugs and loaded firearm, detectives located approximately 500 rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest, high capacity magazines, narcotic packaging material, cutting agent, a functioning digital scale, and almost $500 in US currency in varying denominations.

A Novato PD detective arrived on scene and confirmed the AR-15 that was located in Trieber’s home, matched the rifle described by the victim of the criminal threats case. Novato PD booked Trieber for criminal threats and SIU detectives booked Trieber for the following: felon/addict in possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon, committing a felony while out on bail, possession of a short barreled rifle, possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of sales, possession of cocaine for the purposes of sales, and possession of a controlled substance while armed.

SIU will be discussing this case with their Federal partners at the ATF to inquire about their interest in presenting this case to the US Attorney’s Office.