Amanda Maria Evans, 24, and Jason Griffin, 40, were arrested after a police chase in San Rafael on March 12, 2017 that injured a passing driver and damaged a police car.
On Sunday around 7:30 a.m. a witness called the police with a car description after seeing someone waving a gun around at the Circle K gas station on 981 Francisco Boulevard East in the Canal area.
According to the Marin Independent Journal, San Rafael police Officer Elisha Adams was in the area and spotted the vehicle, and a car chase broke out downtown.
“Jason Griffin was driving the vehicle, and Amanda Maria Evans was in the passenger seat. Griffin ran a red light at Second Street and Grand Avenue, striking a Honda sedan that was going through the intersection,” said San Rafael policeman Lt. Jim Correa, according to the Marin IJ. The driver of the Honda suffered minor injuries.
After the collision, Adams was driving toward the crash, but Griffin intentionally backed into her police car in an effort to escape, Correa said, according to the Marin IJ. Although the police car was heavily damaged, Adams was not injured. After the second crash, Griffin stopped his car and was arrested; Amanda Maria about a block away from the intersection crash.
According to the Marin IJ, After taking control of the situation, police found an air gun modeled as a replica Springfield XD handgun, according to Correa.
Jason Griffin was admitted into the Marin Marin County Jail on suspicion of DUI, hit-and-run driving causing injury, brandishing a replica gun, theft, drug possession, driving with a suspended license, violating his probation conditions, and other counts. Griffin is under suspension for a felony and misdemeanors. (Marin IJ, confirmed with Marin County DA Office) “During the search of the vehicle, officers located suspected cocaine. In addition, [they had] a license plate that had been taken from another vehicle,” says Correa. (The vehicle they were in was stolen, and they put a different license plate on the car). According to HG.org, If he is convicted, he may go to county prison or state prison.
According to the Marin IJ, The passenger, Amanda Maria Evans, was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of drug possession and having possession of a replica gun.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case on Monday, March 13, and on Tuesday, March 14, Griffin and Evans had their first court appearance where they heard the charges that were held against them. Griffin was assigned Public Defender Michael Schroettner as his lawyer and Evans was appointed attorney Robyn Brenin. (Evans wanted a public defender, but to avoid a conflict of interest, was appointed Brenin. ). Both suspects have not entered a plea yet. On Friday, March 15th at 9:00 a court hearing was held where they will be assigned Bail.