A Palo Alto resident was arrested Monday (April 4) and booked at the Marin County Jail on suspicion of stalking and harassing a San Rafael man and his family, according to a San Rafael Police Department release.

John C. Singleton, 47, was apprehended while entering the Palo Alto Apple retail store at 451 University Ave., where he would reportedly use the Internet to harass the family.

Singleton met the victim in 2009 but after a falling out he began to stalk the victim and his family by telephone and via the Internet. Cpl. Scott Eberle of the San Rafael Police Department stated in the release that Singleton is believed to have been operating from the Apple stores because of their free access to the Internet.

"The victim and his family had lived in fear for their lives over the past couple years, investing in a new security system and extra flood lights," Eberle stated in the release.

Eberle said Singleton and the victim met at a San Francisco gym and had the real estate business in common.

"We have not been able to find proof that (Singleton) has any form of real estate license or employment history," Eberle said.

A restraining order is being sought for Singleton and he is being held on a $100,000 bail. Eberle said Singleton is being arraigned Wednesday (April 6) and has retained counsel.

— Kareem Yasin

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