Woman Set Fire At Church, Charged With Hate Crime: Novato Police

NOVATO, CA — A woman was arrested and charged with a hate crime after setting a fire that burned a nativity scene, cross and Star of David at a Novato church, authorities said.

Denise Roberts, 61, of Santa Clara, was booked into Marin County jail on suspicion of felony arson and a hate crime in connection with the blaze, according to police.

Officers responded around 6:30 a.m. Saturday to a brush fire at North Bay Christ Church on Redwood Boulevard, police said, adding witnesses reported a woman was seen walking away from the fire.

The officers arrived to find a 30-by-30-foot area burning with flames about 10 feet high and multiple structures burned, including the nativity scene, cross and star, according to police, who said the damage totaled roughly $2,000.

The woman, identified as Roberts, was in possession of items used to start the blaze and admitted that religious bias motivated her to set the fire.

“Bias-based destruction and hate have no place in our city,” the Novato Police Department said in a social media post. “We appreciate Novatoans' help in creating a safer Novato.”