San Rafael, CA – On 06/15/19, SRPD Officers arrested Thomas Louis Pratt Jr., a 42-year-old San Rafael resident, on numerous felony charges which included armed robbery and assault with a firearm.

At 8:43 PM, San Rafael Police Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call stating that a male suspect was in a downtown drug store, located in the 800 block of Third Street, and had just brandished a revolver at a store clerk.

SRPD Dispatch immediately broadcasted the call to officers who happened to be about a block away.  A description of the suspect was also provided.

Officers arrived in less than a minute and found the suspect, Thomas Louis Pratt Jr., exiting the drug store.  Officers took Pratt into custody without incident.  Pratt was found in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson revolver handgun and additional ammunition.

During the investigation into what occurred, it was determined that Pratt had entered the store several minutes earlier and attempted to purchase items with a credit card that was declined.  Pratt exited the store and then returned. 

Upon returning, Pratt approached a clerk at the register, removed a firearm from his pocket, pointed it at the clerk, and pulled the hammer back.  Pratt then demanded the merchandise that had been declined in the prior transaction.

While in fear for his life, the clerk told Pratt he could not help him and asked that he leave.  Pratt placed the gun back in his pocket and briefly walked around the store while stealing items.  During that time, the clerk was able to call the police and began evacuating customers and employees from the store.  The clerk provided SRPD Dispatch with details about what happened along with the suspect’s description.  The store clerk is to be commended for remaining calm during the encounter and ensuring the safety of the evacuated customers and employees.

The clerk was not injured during the incident.  Officers were able to review store surveillance video which corroborated what had reportedly occurred. 

After the arrest, SRPD Dispatch conducted a background investigation into the origins of the firearm found in Pratt’s possession.  SRPD was able to connect the firearm to a residential burglary that had occurred hours earlier in the county jurisdiction of Novato.  SRPD contacted the Marin County Sheriff’s Office who was in the process of investigating the burglary.  Pratt will be facing additional charges in connection with the sheriff’s office investigation.

Pratt was booked at the Marin County Jail on the charges of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon/firearm, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen firearm, and felony violation of probation.