In Your Town for Oct. 10, 2024
NOVATO
Camp arson suspect
accepts plea deal
A woman accused of setting fire to a Novato homeless camp changed her plea to guilty on Tuesday.
Brianna Marie Giudice, 36, of Novato pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of recklessly burning property. The charge was reduced from a felony arson charge of maliciously setting a fire.
Giudice also pleaded guilty to a felony charge of carrying a concealed stolen firearm in a vehicle, and guilty to violating her probation. The firearm-related charge was filed for a May incident, according to court records. Giudice now faces a maximum sentence of four years, six months in prison.
Following her plea agreement, Judge James Schurz ordered the defendant’s release from custody at the Marin County Jail where she has been held since August.
Novato police arrested Giudice in connection with the July 30 incident in which a fire broke out at a city-sanctioned encampment at Lee Gerner Park. Campers were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The damage caused by the fire prompted the city to indefinitely close the camp.
Giudice’s attorney, Elissa Eckman, could not be reached for comment after the hearing. Prosecutor Jack Shannon declined to comment. Schurz set Giudice’s sentencing for Nov. 7.
SAN RAFAEL
Assault suspect arrested
near Graton resort casino
Authorities arrested a suspect in connection with a San Rafael stabbing.
Around 7:15 p.m. Monday, the police were notified about an assault in the Contempo Marin neighborhood. They found a male victim who suffered one stab wound to his torso. Police Lt. Scott Eberle said that the victim was hospitalized and is in stable condition.
Investigators used video camera footage to identify the suspect’s vehicle. Eberle reported that Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday detected the vehicle at a construction site near the Graton Casino and Resort in Rohnert Park. Deputies arrested the suspect without incident.
Eberle said that investigators believe that the assault was gang related, but the investigation is ongoing.
Ivan Reyes Lopez, 21, of Novato was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, participation in criminal gang activity, and violating probation. He was placed in no-bail custody at the Marin County Jail.
SAUSALITO
Police arrest suspect
linked to grand theft
Authorities arrested a suspect accused of stealing from a sports car in Sausalito.
On Tuesday, police were notified about a person who stole a car cover, worth more than $2,000, from an Acura NSX on Bridgeway, police Lt. Brian Mather reported. The suspect is also accused of scratching the vehicle with a rock.
Investigators reviewed video footage of the incident and found the suspect later that day at Dunphy Park.
Krishnaprayana Sikun Pribadi, a 49-year-old transient from San Francisco, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and vandalism. There was also an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for vandalism, according to jail records.
The suspect was booked into the Marin County Jail where his bail was set for $35,000.
THE COUNTY
Tam prescribed
burns planned
Prescribed burns are planned on Mount Tamalpais State Park this week.
Burns could begin as soon as Thursday, weather permitting, the Marin County Fire Department said.
County fire staff said that the burns are intended to reduce wildfire risks and to improve the environment. They are collaborating with the California State Parks’ Wildlife and Forest Resiliency program.
Smoke may be seen between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. during a burn day. The public is asked to avoid calling 911.
Parts of the Dipsea Trail and Deer Park Fire Road will be temporarily closed on burn days. Visitors are advised to use either the Ben Johnson or Heather Cutoff trails to access the Coast View Trail and upper parts of the Dipsea Trail and Deer Park Fire Road.