On 11/3/23, a detective with the Marin County COPE team (Coordination of Probation Enforcement) was in  downtown San Rafael when he saw Jeffrey Eloy Martinez, who he recognized from prior law enforcement contacts, drive past his location in a green Chevy truck.  

Martinez appeared to recognize the detective as a member of law enforcement and drove the vehicle in manner that made the detective believe Martinez was attempting to avoid contact with him.  The detective believed it was possible the truck was stolen and attempted to follow Martinez in his undercover car, but due to traffic, the detective temporarily lost sight of Martinez.  Approximately 20 minutes later, the detective located the unoccupied vehicle parked in an industrial area on Anderson Drive.  When the detective ran the license plate it returned as a stolen vehicle out of San Rafael. 

Members of the Specialized Investigative Unit assisted the COPE detective in conducting surveillance on the truck with the intent of arresting Martinez when he returned to the truck.  San Rafael PD was contacted and informed of the planned operation.  The officer working that beat told the detectives he just saw Martinez in an encampment made of tarps and pallets near the intersection of Anderson Drive and Irwin Street and the officer noticed Martinez appeared to want to avoid contact with law enforcement.  The detectives and San Rafael patrol officers worked together and safely took Martinez into custody in the nearby encampment.  The truck was returned to the owner who was grateful to have his work vehicle back.

Martinez was booked at the Marin County Jail for 496D(A) PC possession of a stolen vehicle.  His bail was set at $10,000.  He posted bail several hours after he was booked and is no longer in custody.

The Specialized Investigative Unit and the COPE team appreciate San Rafael PD’s assistance on this case.