SAN RAFAEL

Woman sentenced in 7-Eleven robbery case

A San Rafael woman was sentenced Thursday for assaulting a store employee with a hammer during a robbery in July.

Judge Geoffrey Howard sentenced Tameka Elaine Cullens 152 days in jail for her robbery conviction and placed on her probation for two years. Cullens was released from custody after the hearing with credit for time she has already spent in jail since her arrest.

Cullens, 47, sat in a wheelchair when she heard her sentence and she did not make a statement in court. Howard issued a restraining order for to her to stay away from the 7-Eleven store on B Street, where the robbery occurred.

Police said Cullens attacked an employee with the tool on July 20 after being confronted for allegedly stealing hats. The victim suffered minor injuries. Cullens was arrested after investigators reviewed surveillance footage.

Cullens’ public defender, Meredith McGuire, declined to comment after the hearing on Thursday.

SAN RAFAEL

Alleged jail vandal pleads not guilty

A Santa Rosa resident accused of damaging the lobby restroom at the Marin County Jail pleaded not guilty Thursday to a felony vandalism charge.

Ronald Lucero, 50, allegedly committed the offense Sunday after being released from custody in a drug-related cases.

The incident caused about $3,200 in damage to ceiling tiles and a water pipe, according to the sheriff’s office.

Lucero was out of custody when he entered his plea. His next hearing is set for Nov. 6.

His public defender, Michael Schroettner, declined to comment Thursday.

SAN RAFAEL

Restaurant worker hurt in kitchen fire

An employee suffered injuries from a kitchen fire that broke out Thursday at a San Rafael restaurant.

Around 8:15 a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to La Hacienda at 3815 Redwood Highway. San Rafael Deputy Fire Chief Robert Sinnott reported that the fire started behind the stove while the employee was preparing to open the business.

No structural damage was reported. Fire extinguishers put out the flames. Sinnott said the possible cause of the fire was a damaged natural gas pipe.

The employee was taken to a hospital for treatment. Sinnott did not know the patient’s condition.

the county

Top Marin officials take other positions

Marin County Director of Cultural Services Gabriella Calicchio and Max Korten, director of Marin County Parks, have announced plans to leave their posts.

Calicchio has been hired as head of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She worked for the county for 11 years and ran the Marin County Fair. Korten, who has been a county employee since 2014, is departing for a job as deputy general manager for the East Bay Regional Park District.