Four Suspects Arrested in Novato: Allegedly Ransacked a Vacant House and Vandalized Vehicles
– By Jim Emerson
NOVATO, CA — Three men and a 17-year-old male allegedly ransacked a vacant house in
Novato, and vandalized nearby vehicles with spray paint. The four suspects were arrested on
February 2 shortly after 9:30 p.m., on the 1300 block of Seventh Street.
Broken window – Vandalism Evidence | Courtesy of Novato PD
A neighbor walking their dog alerted the police, after hearing shouting and the sound of
breaking glass.
Responding officers also heard breaking glass. “Officers followed the sounds to a nearby
vacant house,” Novato police said in a prepared statement. “Four young men with flashlights
were actively damaging the property.”
Inside the house, police saw the suspects using the flashlights to navigate through the
darkness and systematically damage the interior of the house. The preliminary damage
estimate totals thousands of dollars.
The scope of damage extends beyond the house to the surrounding neighborhood. Officers
also found several damaged vehicles parked along Seventh Street, between Grant and Olive
avenues. Windows were smashed and vehicles were painted with graffiti.
The following Novato residents were arrested:
- Frisli Mazariegos-Escalante, 20
- Luis Chaj-Chanchaval, 19
- Oseas Rivas-Velis, 18
- A juvenile male, 17 years old
The three adults were booked at Marin County Jail for burglary, conspiracy to commit crime,
and vandalism. Bond for release from custody was set at $50,000 each, prior to their
arraignment.
The juvenile was cited for allegedly committing the same crimes and released to his parents.
