Arson Suspect Arrested in Relation to Fire at North Bay Christ Church
– by Jim Emerson
NOVATO, CA — A woman was arrested for allegedly setting a brush fire outside a church that caused an estimated $2,000 in damage. Denise I. Roberts, 60, of Santa Clara, being held custody in lieu of $250,000 bond.
Police and firefighters responded to North Bay Christ Church on Redwood Boulevard on the morning of July 12. An area approximately 900 square feet was burning when first responders arrived at the scene. Flames were shooting upwards 10 feet high.
“Witnesses reported a female adult seen walking away from the fire,” Novato police said in a prepared statement. “Multiple small structures, including a nativity scene, Star of David and a cross were burned.”
While firefighters were extinguishing the blaze, officers detained a woman nearby matching the descriptions provided by witnesses. Roberts was placed under arrest on July 12 at 6:38 a.m. She was transported and booked into Marin County Jail.
Police found in Roberts’ possession, items that she allegedly used to commit arson. “She admitted that religious bias motivated her to start the fire,” according to Novato PD. She was booked on suspicion of arson to a structure/forest land, and interfering with civil rights.
Roberts, who turns 61 on July 28, has been getting herself in trouble recently with the police. She was arrested on July 3 for trespassing. In September 2022, Roberts was arrested for elder or dependent adult abuse.
