by NOVATO, California– After starting a fire at a Novato church that destroyed a nativity scene, cross, and Star of David, a woman was arrested and charged with a hate crime, according to officials.
Police said that 61-year-old Denise Roberts of Santa Clara was booked into the Marin County jail on suspicion of criminal arson and a hate crime in connection with the fire.
Around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, cops were called to Redwood Boulevard to a brush fire at North Bay Christ Church. Witnesses said they saw a woman walking away from the fire.
Officers arrived to find a 30-by-30-foot area on fire with flames about 10 feet high. Several buildings were also on fire, including the nativity scene, cross, and star, which caused about $2,000 in damage.
The woman, named Roberts, had the things that were used to start the fire, and she admitted that she did it because of religious bias.
In a social media post, the Novato Police Department said, “Biassed destruction and hate have no place in our city.” “We appreciate Novato residents’ help in making Novato safer.”
