Community Corner

Lucky Shoplifting Spree Halted by Arrests – 65 Years Ago

A "small epidemic of shoplifting" was ended with the arrest of six alleged shoplifters of soap, butter and wine from the Lucky Market, reported the El Cerrito Journal of Nov. 14, 1946.

Exactly 65 years ago today, on Nov. 14, 1946, the front page of the weekly El Cerrito Journal reported the arrest of six "persons" discovered stealing soap, butter and wine from the Lucky Market. Here are some of the actual headlines from that day's front page, followed by our brief summaries of the articles:

Petty Theft Wave Terminated Here

Police Chief Floyd M. Gilbert reported that six people were arrested after they would discovered taking soap, butter, wine and other items from the Lucky Market in north El Cerrito on Cutting Boulevard near San Pablo Avenue. He intends to ask for the "maximum penalty." Also reported by police was the attempted burglary of the Crab Shack, whose window screen was removed and whose premises were "ransacked thoroughly."

Wig-wags to Be Installed 7 Crossings

The City Council learned from Councilman Millard E. Bostock, commissioner of public works, that approval had been granted for the installation of "wig-wag" signals for several Sante Fe railroad crossings in El Cerrito: Hill Street, Potrero Avenue, Fink and Schmidt lanes, Manila Avenue, Waldo Avenue and an added one on Fairmount Avenue.

Find out what's happening in El Cerritowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Veterans Warned On Housing Rackets

Former servicemen were warned by Lawrence C. Stevens, state director of veterans affairs, to be wary of housing "rackets" and unscrupulous real estate agents and contractors. "We have been receiving numerous complaints from veterans, most of them desperate for housing, who have made deposits of $100 or $200, and sometimes as much as $500, only to find later that they have made a down payment on a vacant lot, or at best that they have an option on a house which might be built at some underdetermined time in the future," Stevens said.

Harding School Wins Red Cross Honors

Harding grammar school was commended for being the first school to reach 100 percent Red Cross membership among 25 others in El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo and Pinole.

Find out what's happening in El Cerritowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Click for other vignettes of El Cerrito history. You can find some back issues of the El Cerrito Journal, including those of 65 years ago, at the Shadi Historical Room at City Hall, open to the public on the third Thursday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m.


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