Stalking suspect accused of threats

A Solano County man was arraigned Thursday on charges he threatened to kill a Novato woman and her family.

Robert Hansen, 50, of Suisun City is charged with criminal threats and stalking. The alleged crimes happened in late April and early May.

The alleged victim is an estranged girlfriend who lives with her parents, prosecutor Roopa Krishna said during a hearing Thursday in Marin County Superior Court. Hansen allegedly contacted the woman by phone, accused her of cheating on him, threatened to shoot her and her parents and said he would burn their house down, Krishna said. He also sent sexual pictures of the woman to her mother, she said.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Investigators determined that Hansen was a few miles from the family's home during the alleged threats.

Authorities arrested

Hansen on Tuesday as the prosecution prepared the criminal complaint. He was booked with a bail amount of $500,000.

His case was assigned to a public defender, Tyler Hicks. During the court hearing, Hicks asked the judge to reduce the bail amount to $50,000. He said $500,000 was beyond the means of Hansen, a woodworker who makes signs at his home.

Hicks also said the case involves complicated relationship dynamics. He said Hansen lives with his wife and has an open marriage.

Judge Paul Haakenson said that if he sets a bail amount, he is required to make it affordable. So he ordered Hansen to be held without bail instead. He cited the seriousness of the allegations and Hansen's seven prior convictions, including being a felon in possession of a gun.

Haakenson also signed an order for Hansen to stay away from the woman and her family.

Hansen is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday to enter a plea.