By Jim Emerson
NOVATO — Three suspects are behind bars following a thwarted kidnap attempt.
Laura L. Boyle, 60, and Paula L. Burkes, 56, of Mission Viejo and Michael E.
Roberts, 49, of Dana Point, are suspected of kidnapping an elderly man in an attempt to gain access to their finances.
The trio reportedly entered a health care facility in Novato through a back door and abducted
the patient, a relative of Burkes, on February 15. A nurse who intervened was
assaulted.
Novato police broadcast an alert to area law enforcement agencies.
A Marin County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted the getaway
vehicle, a Honda CRV, traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 101. Following a vehicle stop, all three suspects were detained and the victim rescued.
Boyle, Burkes and Roberts are each being held in custody at Marin County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.
They were booked on open charges that include burglary, kidnapping, and false imprisonment
with violence. They were also booked for conspiracy to commit crime, and cruelty on a
dependent adult. In addition, Roberts was also booked for battery.
Considered at-risk, the patient who was kidnapped was transported to a hospital for medical
evaluation. The victim’s affairs are managed by a conservatorship, but the suspects are not
legal conservators.
Detectives identified a fourth suspect who was not arrested.
