– By Jim Emerson
NOVATO, CA — Benjamin D. Buckley, 39, of Novato, was arrested outside a grocery store on
March 4. Buckley allegedly kidnapped a 3-year-old girl and assaulted a 72-year-old woman.
His arrest was preceded by a domestic disturbance on Martin Drive earlier the same morning.
“The disturbance was a dispute between family members, which resulted in the man
kidnapping the child,” Novato police said in a prepared statement.
Buckley allegedly struck the elderly family member, before leaving and taking the child with
him. After the incident was reported, Novato PD dispatch issued a be-on-the-lookout alert to
nearby law enforcement agencies.
While an ‘amber alert’ was being prepared for public broadcast and roadblocks planned, a
Novato patrol officer spotted Buckley’s car.
It was in the parking lot outside the Harvest Market grocery at the San Marin Plaza shopping center, 2751 Center Road.
The patrol officer contacted Buckley and took him into custody at 11:02 a.m., as he exited
from the car with the girl.
The unharmed toddler was returned to her family. The suspect and the toddler reportedly know each other.
Buckley who is unemployed was transported to Marin County Jail, where he remains in
custody in lieu of $500,000 bond. He booked booked on suspicion of the following charges –
· Kidnapping PC 207(A)
· Willful cruelty to a child PC 273 (A)
· Elder/dependent adult cruelty PC 368 (C)
