Crime & Safety

Blotter: Batman/Samurai Garb Draws Cops; Purse Stolen at Starbucks

The El Cerrito Police Blotter for July 30-Aug. 5 includes a youth who told police he was dressed as a samurai at El Cerrito Plaza to scare friends, three stolen cars, a purse stolen at Starbucks and arrests of mother-daughter forgery suspects.

Editor's note: the El Cerrito Police Blotter is provided by the El Cerrito police department.

JULY 30, 2012 

Shoplifting- Lucky’s, 1000 El Cerrito Plaza 
Officers responded to a report of a shoplifter that was taken into custody by loss prevention agents at Lucky’s. A 52 year old Castro Valley man was transported to the El Cerrito Police Department where he was booked and released on a citation. 

Automobile Burglary- 7300 block of Pebble Beach Dr 
Two automobiles had their front passenger windows broken and loose change stolen along with a remote garage door controller. The thefts occurred between the 29th at 1700 hours and 30th at 0720 hour 

Stolen Vehicle Recovery – S. 55th St at Creely Ave 
Officer Maldonado located an occupied stolen 1997 Honda Accord. The vehicle was reported stolen to San Pablo PD on the 27th and was occupied by a female driver and a male passenger. The male was also found in possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were arrested and taken to county jail after booking. 

Warrant Arrest - Alva Ave near Tassajara Ave. 
At 1650 hours Officer Wong responded to a report of a suspicious occupied vehicle. Officer Wong contacted the 18 year old male driver and determined he was wanted on a warrant from an El Cerrito PD case for brandishing a deadly weapon. He was arrested, booked and taken to county jail. 

JULY 31, 2012 

Auto Burglary- Lexington Avenue at Fairmount Avenue 
A box trailer was broken into and miscellaneous property was stolen sometime between the 29th and the 31st. 

Violation of a Court Order- 2600 block of Carquinez Avenue 
A 34 year old male violated a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the protected party and fled prior to police arrival. 

Petty Theft and Unlawful Use of Credit Card- Starbucks, 3090 El Cerrito Plaza 
The victim reports her wallet was stolen from her unattended purse while she was in Starbucks and her credit card was fraudulently used to make purchases at Target in Richmond shortly after. 

AUGUST 1, 2012 

Suspicious Activity – El Cerrito Plaza 
Officers responded to concerned citizen’s reports of juvenile wearing a Batman type costume walking around the El Cerrito Plaza carrying a black bag. The juvenile was contacted as he exited the restroom of Starbucks and questioned about the reason he was wearing the costume (which included an ammo magazine carrier vest, shin guards, elbow guards, forearm guards, knee pads & a black duct tape helmet) and roaming the shopping complex. He informed the officers that he was intending to scare some of his friends and was dressed not as Batman but as a Samurai Warrior. 

Driving Under the Influence- San Pablo Avenue at Fairmount Avenue 
Sgt. Caputo conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the 36 year old female driver from Albany for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was cited and released from the El Cerrito Police Department. 

AUGUST 2, 2012 

Traffic Enforcement Project – Citywide 
Dayshift Patrol Officers conducted a directed traffic enforcement project throughout the city during from 0600 hour to 1800 hour. During the time period they issued 20 moving violations, 6 parking violations and impounded 4 vehicles that were being driven by people who were unlicensed or whose driving privilege was suspended. 

Driving Under the Influence- San Pablo Avenue at Fairmount Avenue 
Ofc. Thepkaysone conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the 23 year old male driver from Richmond for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was cited and released from the El Cerrito Police Department.

AUGUST 3, 2012 

Vehicle theft – 700 block of Hancock Way 
A 1983 Volvo was stolen sometime between 0620 and 0630 hours while left running in front of a residence. 

Forgery – US Bank (11450 San Pablo Ave) 
Officers responded to a report of an attempted forgery at 1925 hours, detained a vehicle leaving the business and arrested a 42 year old female resident of Richmond and her 18 year old daughter, also a resident of Richmond, for the crime, and for possession of stolen identifications, checks and other items of identity theft. Another daughter, a 24 year old female resident of Richmond, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. 

AUGUST 4, 2012 

Vehicle theft – 5300 block of School Ave 
A 1998 Nissan Altima was stolen sometime between 2300 hours on 8/3/12 and 0945 hours on 8/4/12. 

Driving under the influence – San Pablo Ave at Panama Ave 
Officer Evans arrested a 19 year old male resident of Richmond, at 0147 hours, for driving while intoxicated. 

AUGUST 5, 2012 

Vehicle theft – 6500 block of Portola Drive 
A 1996 Honda Accord was stolen at approximately 1620 hours from the driveway of a residence. 

Drug possession - Pierce Street/Washington Ave 
Officer Schillinger arrested a 28 year old male resident of Richmond at 2145 hours for being in possession of methamphetamine and driving on a suspended license. 

Outside Agency Assist - 121 W. Macdonald Ave 
El Cerrito Officers responded at 2139 hours to assist RPD on a fatal shooting with a large unruly crowd. 

Commercial burglary - 670 El Cerrito Plaza (CVS) 
A male entered CVS at 2200 hours and attempted to steal batteries, but was thwarted by employees. The male exited the store and immediately returned, and successfully escaped with stolen batteries.

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The El Cerrito Crime Blotter can be found also on nixle.com

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