Novato police arrest suspects in theft case

Novato police arrested two suspects in connection with a theft at Safeway on Diablo Avenue.

The crime was reported at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, and police contacted a suspect who matched the description of the thief. The suspect had controlled substances and burglary tools, and there were two outstanding warrants for his arrest, police Lt. Sophia Winter. Police also detained a woman they contacted near the suspect.

Michael Tyler Lelis, 33, of Santa Rosa was booked into the Marin County Jail was on suspicion of shoplifting, concealing evidence and drug possession. Bobbie Rae Whitt, 31, of Petaluma was booked on suspicion of possessing burglary tools and controlled substances.

Lelis has two prior theft convictions and Whitt has two prior drug convictions, so police booked them without a bail amount under Proposition 36, Winter said. Under the new state law, prosecutors can file felony charges for certain drug possession cases or thefts involving items that cost under $950 if a suspect has two prior theft or drug convictions.

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed misdemeanor charges on Tuesday. An arraignment judge set plea hearings for Friday.