Police bust San Rafael man for possession of meth, paraphernalia after fleeing on bike

Police in San Rafael on Friday arrested a man in connection with possession of methamphetamine after the man fled an officer on a bicycle.

Oscar Nunez Rivera, 27, of San Rafael, was arrested on suspicion of evading a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the San Rafael Police Department.

On Friday at 12:15 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Second Street and Irwin Street when he saw a group of people crowded together and not following social distancing guidelines.

As the officer turned into a parking lot to speak with the group, the people slit up in different directions and fled on their bicycles.

Believing he may have interrupted a drug transaction, the officer followed two of the people and noticed they did not have lights or reflectors on their bicycles.

The officer activated his emergency lights and ordered the bicyclists to pull over several times, but neither bicyclist complied with the order.

The two bicyclists split up, and the officer followed one of them to a parking lot on Irwin Street, where the bicyclist fell off his bicycle.

The bicyclist approached the officer’s patrol car with his hands up.

As Rivera approached, the officer recognized him, and knowing he was on probation, the officer searched Rivera and located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his possession, police said.