San Rafael police arrested a suspect who allegedly assaulted a pregnant woman during a burglary and later attempted to kidnap a resident at a nursing home.
David Jonathan Margoliash, 48, of San Rafael was placed into no-bail custody at the Marin County Jail. He’s also due to be sentenced next Monday for an assault in March at the Islamic Center of North Marin in Novato.
“Margoliash has a history of dangerous and violent criminal behavior, and due to the nature of these two cases, a bail enhancement was granted,” San Rafael police Sgt. Justin Graham said.
The San Rafael incidents began around 1 a.m. Saturday at a house on Ross Street. Graham said Margoliash entered the home through a back door and made a noise that woke a resident. She discovered Margoliash in the living room and screamed, Graham said. Margoliash allegedly struck her head with a flashlight.
Graham said the resident’s husband woke up and forced Margoliash out of the home. Margoliash allegedly bit the husband’s hand during the struggle, and the husband pushed Margoliash down a flight of patio stairs.
The residents were taken to a hospital for their injuries. Officers searched for Margoliash, who had fled the home, Graham said.
At 5:18 a.m., police were notified about an incident at a nursing home on Fifth Avenue. Graham said Margoliash allegedly pretended to work for a patient transport service and attempted to take a resident. He left after questioning by employees.
An officer detained Margoliash in the area, and witnesses identified him as the perpetrator in both incidents, Graham said. Margoliash was arrested on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping and burglary.
The incidents are under review by the Marin County District Attorney’s Office.
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“Public safety is my top priority. Mr. Margoliash’s past criminal acts are very serious, and I am committed to ensuring he is held accountable for those crimes as well as for any potential charges currently under consideration,” District Attorney Lori Frugoli said Monday.
In September, Margoliash pleaded guilty to several charges stemming from the incident at the Islamic center. Police said he shot pepper spray at a witness who confronted him because he thought Margoliash had a gun in his backpack.
The incident happened during the Ramadan holiday, but Novato police said the evidence did not support a hate crime charge.
Following Margoliash’s March arrest, the court ordered him to wear a GPS monitor and to stay away from the Islamic center after his release from custody in May despite the prosecution’s objections. The court later granted his defense’s request to remove the monitor in August.
His plea agreement calls for Margoliash to be placed on probation, but Judge Kelly Simmons warned him that he could receive a two-year prison sentence if he violates his probation conditions.
Margoliash was previously granted mental health diversions for a 2019 vandalism case and a 2021 case where he was accused of threatening two joggers in Mill Valley.
