In Your Town for Feb. 19, 2025
FAIRFAX
Police arrest 2
for vehicle theft
Police arrested two Petaluma men who allegedly stole a vehicle.
On Sunday, an officer overheard a radio report about a vehicle reported stolen in Petaluma that was seen traveling toward San Anselmo, police Sgt. Jonathan Judge said.
The officer waited for the brown Chevrolet pickup truck at the San Anselmo-Fairfax town limit, Judge said. Police, with assistance from Marin County sheriff’s deputies and Central Marin police, took the suspects into custody at Skyline Road, he said.
Brian Armand Bascherini, 61, and Nicholas Adam Bernhardy, 38, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft. They were booked into the Marin County Jail where their bail were each set at $25,000.
NOVATO
Police arrest 3
in kidnap case
Authorities arrested three suspects from Orange County who allegedly kidnapped a Novato health care patient. One assaulted a nurse who attempted to stop them, Novato police said.
Officers were notified about the incident at around 11 a.m. Saturday. Police declined to identify the location, Lt. Alan Bates said. A Marin County sheriff’s deputy contacted the suspects during a traffic stop near the Spencer Avenue exit.
Novato officers located the 60-year-old patient in the vehicle and returned the person to the medical center. Investigators determined that the suspects abducted the patient who was placed under a court-ordered conservatorship. Police said that the suspects tried to fraudulently gain conservatorship in a financial scheme.
Paula Lynn Burkes, 57, of Mission Viejo; Laura Lee Boyle, 61, of Mission Viejo; and Michael Edward Roberts, 49, of Dana Point were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, burglary, cruelty to a dependent adult, false imprisonment with violence, and conspiracy. Roberts was also accused of battery.
All of the suspects were booked into the Marin County Jail where their bail was each set at $100,000.
SAN RAFAEL
Man accused of
robbing gambler
Authorities arrested a San Rafael man who allegedly robbed a person during a gambling dispute.
On Monday night, the suspect gambled with the victim on Canal Street, police Sgt. Justin Graham reported. He said that the argument between them grew violent. The suspect then allegedly stole the winnings and fled. Officers later arrested him at his home, Graham said.
Macario Gilberto Lopez Renoj, 37, was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He was booked into the Marin County Jail where his bail was set at $75,000.
Police probe theft
at Northgate mall
Police arrested a woman who allegedly stole more than $2,000 in merchandise at a store at Northgate mall.
On Monday afternoon, the suspect shoplifted at the Macy’s store and fled on foot, police Sgt. Justin Graham said. A nearby officer detained and arrested her. Investigators learned that a female suspect assisted her and fled the scene, Graham said.
Britany Luna Estrada, 24, of San Francisco was arrested on suspicion of grand theft. She was booked into the Marin Jail County where her bail was set at $10,000.