Full Notification

On July 27^th, at 7:30pm, Novato Police Officers responded to the report of an assault on two juveniles at Pioneer Park, 1007 Simmons Lane, in Novato. Responding officers learned Olaf Becker (a 61-year-old male Novato resident) had asked two children (ages 7 and 8) to stop throwing items onto the park tennis courts, which were in use.  When the children did not stop, Becker confronted the children.  Becker reportedly struck both children resulting in minor injury to one child.  Families in the immediate area intervened and Becker returned to the tennis courts.
 
Both children were checked by Novato Fire Protection District personnel and released to their parents.  Becker was arrested for violations of 273a(a) PC – Child Abuse and 273d(a) PC – Corporal Injury to a child.  He was transported and booked into Marin County Jail.
 
Thank you to the community members who promptly reported the incident. The Novato Police Department thoroughly investigates crimes against children to the fullest extent.