SAN FRANCISCO—An Australian DJ accused of kidnapping a two-year-old boy who was walking with his mother in San Francisco’s Castro District on Friday, April 12 made his first appearance in court on Tuesday, April 16. Prosecutors charged Roscoe Holyoake, 34, from East Victoria Park, Australia, with kidnapping and child endangerment charges. The incident transpired near Noe and 17th Streets around 12:45 p.m.
Holyoake did not enter a plea during his appearance on Tuesday, he is expected to enter a plea in court on Thursday, April 18. His public defender, Steve Olmo, told reporters that Holyoake has no previous criminal record and was in San Francisco on business.
The toddler was holding his mother’s hand while they walked in the Castro neighborhood when Holyoake snatched the boy, witnesses told officers with the San Francisco Police Department. Holyoake ran for about half a block, while the mother and several bystanders chased him. The bystanders were able to grab him and keep a hold on him until authorities arrived.
Holyoake was arrested and is being held on a $500,000 bail. The two-year-old boy reportedly sustained minor injuries during the incident.
