El Cerrito Police Blotter: Prowler, Commercial Burglary, Drunk in Public

These are some of the items that appeared on the El Cerrito Police Department logs from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7. 

October 4 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – S. 56th St. / Potrero Ave. 
Officers recovered a black 1993 Honda Civic reported stolen to San Rafael PD on 10/02/13. 

Warrant Arrest – El Dorado St. / Carlson Blvd. 
Officers conducted a suspicious vehicle stop and arrested a 32-year-old Richmond man for an outstanding warrant. The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. 

Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, Stolen Property, Burglary Tools, and Tear Gas and a Probation Violation – Burlingame Ave. / San Pablo Ave. 
Officers were monitoring the area of San Pablo Ave. near Moeser Ln. for drug activity and witnessed a hand-to-hand drug transaction. Officers stopped two men, a 44-year-old Richmond man and a 32-year-old Richmond man. The older man was in possession of a stolen driver’s license and methamphetamine packaged for sale. He was also on probation for identity theft. The younger man was in possession of narcotics for sale, burglary tools, and a canister of pepper spray. Both men were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. 

October 5 

Stolen Vehicle – 100 block of San Carlos Ave. 
An unknown suspect stole the victim’s 1996 green Saturn SL between 10/4 at 1800 hours and 10/5 at 0700 hours. 

Possession of a Controlled Substance and Providing False ID – S. 57th St. / Jefferson Ave. Officers observed a bicycle violation at Bayview Ave. / San Pablo Ave. When Officers turned around to investigate, the 34-year-old Richmond bicyclist quickly disappeared in the neighborhood. Officers located the man crouched down in front of a parked vehicle. When they searched him, Officers found a baggie of methamphetamine in his sock. The man provided a false name to officers but fingerprints taken in booking revealed his true name. The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. 

Stolen Vehicle – 2000 E.C. Plaza. 
The victim parked his 1995 Honda Del Sol on 10/4/13 at 1100 hours. He returned at 2230 hours tonight and discovered that a thief stole his car. 

Outside Assistance – Potrero Ave. / Kearney St. 
Officers saw BART PD pursuing a suspect on foot in the area and stepped in to assist. Officers gave chase on foot and apprehended the suspect at Potrero Ave. / Lexington Ave. BART PD took custody of the suspect. 

Driving under the Influence – I-80 / Macdonald Ave. 
Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the driver, a 67-year-old Richmond woman, for driving under the influence of alcohol. The woman was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released to a sober friend. 

Driving under the Influence – San Pablo Ave. / Macdonald Ave. 
Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the driver, a 26-year-old El Cerrito man, for driving under the influence of alcohol. The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released to a sober friend. 

October 6 

Commercial Burglary (Shoplift)/ Warrant Arrest/ Possession of Methamphetamine – Safeway, 11450 San Pablo Ave. 
An El Cerrito Police officer arrested a 57-year-old Oakland man after security caught him stealing. The man also had a warrant for his arrest for another petty theft from El Cerrito and was in possession of methamphetamine. The officer arrested the man, booked him, and took him to county jail. 

Commercial Burglary (Shoplift) / Parolee at Large – Lucky’s, 1000 El Cerrito Plaza 
An El Cerrito Police officer arrested a 56-year-old man after security caught him stealing from the store. Before the officer arrived, the man fought with security. The officer discovered that the man was a parolee at large. The officer took the man to county hospital because he complained about back pain. Once the doctors cleared him, the officer took the man right back to jail. 

Prowler – 800 Block of Ashbury Ave 
At 2104 hours, Officers responded to a report of a prowler. As the resident arrived home, she found a prowler in her side yard. The prowler fled immediately. Officers responded to the neighborhood and searched for the man but were unable to find him. 

The resident described the man as being 5’8” tall, with a medium build and short hair. The man was wearing a white hooded sweater, blue jean shorts and a dark colored vest. Residents should be on alert for evening prowlers. Burglars and prowlers have been increasingly targeting residential neighborhoods during the early evening hours. If you spot a prowler or hear a prowler in your yard, call the police immediately. Please do not try to confront the subject and then call the police. Call the police first. 

Driving while Under the Influence – 2600 block of Arlington Blvd 
At 0018 hours, officers responded to this location for a solo vehicle accident. A resident reported that a vehicle was overturned and the three occupants were still at the scene. Officers arrived and contacted the driver, a 21-year-old man from Richmond. Officers determined that the man was intoxicated. Officers arrested the man, booked him, and released him to a sober relative. 

Commercial Burglary - 11299 San Pablo Ave 
At 0311 hours, officers responded to a call at this location and discovered an open door to suite K, the old Check into Cash business. The door to the business was pried open. Officers began a search of the business and found a hole in the ceiling that led into the new Check into Cash business. Richmond Police arrived to assist and used a police dog to search the business. The thief had already fled. Officers discovered that the thief tried to pry open the business safe with a tool he brought along. Fortunately, the safe was stronger than the thief was. He failed to open the safe and left the business empty-handed. 

The thief wore a black hooded sweater, black jeans, a black ski mask and black gloves. He also wore a headlamp and dark boots. The suspect was between 5’9” and 6’ tall with a medium build. The thief also sustained some minor injuries, during the break-in. If this sounds like a friend, acquaintance or family member, who snuck out in the middle of the night, give the El Cerrito Police a call. Business owners are encouraged to review the security of their businesses and reinforce any areas that might be vulnerable to this type of crime. 

Drunk in Public, Obstruction of and Battery on a Peace Officer - 11299 San Pablo Avenue 
At 0311 hours, while responding to another call, officer Wells located a 52-year-old man walking away from the above business. The officer ordered the man to stop and comply with orders. The man did not comply with commands and the officer detained him. Officers later learned that the man was not involved in the burglary, but he was heavily intoxicated. Officers arrested the man and, during the arrest, the man spat on an officer. Officers took him to county jail.