Multiple Robberies, Home Smash-in Burglaries Over 3 Days

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

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 

Vehicle theft / Grand theft of Property – Waldo Ave & Lexington Ave 
Officer Jacala reports unknown suspect(s) broke into the Conex located on the BART path that belong to Bay Cities Paving. They also stole a truck with Company logos on the doors. A Conex box contained tools being used on the earthquake retro-fitting being done on the BART tracks. The thefts occurred between 8/31/12 4:00 pm & 9/4/12 8:00 am. 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – 3200 Block Yosemite Ave 
Officer Jacala reports the recovery of a Honda Civic reported stolen from on 9/2/12. The owner while driving on Pierce St in Albany today observed his car parked along the curb line. He then drove it home before calling the police. 

Grand Theft- Parking Lot in Front of Trader Joes in the El Cerrito Plaza 
Officer Strang reports that the victim left their Volvo parked unlocked for ten minutes in the parking lot of the El Cerrito Plaza and an unknown suspect removed a backpack containing numerous electronic items. 

Residential Burglary- 500 block of Everett Street 
Officer Strang reports an unknown suspect entered the residence via an open bedroom window and stole electronics and a bicycle. The burglary occurred during the daytime hours. 

Warrant Arrest- 11299 San Pablo Avenue 
While responding to an unwanted person call, Officer Del Prado contacted a 42 year old El Cerrito resident and determined that a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest was held by Berkeley PD for theft. The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released with a citation. 

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 

Parolee at Large Arrest – Cutting Blvd & S. 49th St 
Officer Wells reports the arrest of male from Richmond on a parole warrant at 9:06 am. The warrant was discovered during a vehicle stop. He was booked and transported to County Jail in Martinez. 

Residential Burglary – 1520 Block Lexington Ave 
Officer Wong reports unknown suspect(s) kicked the front door to a residence between 11:15 am & 1:00 pm. They did a mild ransack of the residence before taking laptops. 

Strong Arm Robbery / Warrant Arrest – Hill St and BART Path 
SRO Cheng was flagged down at the Del Norte BART station by the victim of a robbery which occurred at 2:15 pm. Information on the suspect lead to a witness indicating the suspect may have ran to the rear of a residence in the 6500 block of Cutting Blvd. The suspect was located by Sgt Hartung hiding behind a building in an adjacent yard. The man from San Pablo was taken into custody and found in possession of the victim’s property. He was also wanted on a warrant for theft out of Richmond. He was booked and transported to County Jail in Martinez. 

Robbery / Warrant Arrest – Safeway Store 
Officer Wong reports the arrest of a female at 2:45 pm after she fought with Safeway Loss Prevent officers hitting trying to detain her for shoplifting. The female struck one of the Loss Prevention officers with a hair brush to the side of his face and threatening another with a pair of scissors. It was also determined she was wanted on theft warrant out of Solano Co. She was booked and transported to County Jail in Martinez. 

Mental health Evaluation – Washington Mutual Bank 
Officer Purdy reports that at 3:00 pm a male from Berkeley became very violent while in the Washington Mutual Bank with his mother. The male who is developmentally disabled started throwing and damaging property. He was physically restrained by customers and responding officers then sent to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez for evaluation. 

Residential Burglary - 900 Block Liberty St 
Officer Purdy reports unknown (s) kicked the front door to residence between 10:50 am & 2:45 pm. They ransacked the residence taking assorted electronics and jewelry. 

Residential Burglary – 10944 San Pablo Ave (Apartments) 
Officer Jacala reports unknown suspect(s) kicked the front door to residence 6:00 am & 4:00 pm and stole electronic equipment. 

Residential Burglary- 1400 block of Liberty Street 
Officer Thepkaysone reports that an unknown suspect forced open the front door of the residence with a pry tool and conducted a light ransack prior to leaving with a small amount of cash. The burglary occurred between 9am and 6pm. 

Armed Robbery - 5400 block of Silva Avenue 
Officer Alvarez reports that the victim responded to a Craigslist ad to purchase a vehicle and agreed to meet the seller at the above location. Upon arrival, the victim was ambushed by the suspect who brandished a handgun and demanded money. The victim complied and the suspect fled on foot to a waiting getaway vehicle. 

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon – 1300 Block Liberty St 
Officer Wong reports the arrest of female from El Cerrito for attempting to stab and slash her sister with a knife. The incident happened at 10:42 am when the victim went to the suspect’s residence to confront her over a family issue. A third sister arrived to break up the altercation. The suspect was booked and transported to County Jail Martinez. 

Residential Burglary- 5300 block of Potrero Avenue 
Officer Thepkaysone reports that an unknown suspect entered the residence sometime between Monday and Thursday and stole electronics and jewelry. 

Armed Robbery- Intersection of Key Blvd. and Conlon Avenue 
Officer Thepkaysone reports that while the victim was walking home an unknown suspect brandished a handgun at the victim and demanded their property. The victim complied and the suspect fled on foot. 

Driving Under the Influence- San Pablo Avenue and Potrero Avenue 
Officer Thepkaysone conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the 18 year old female driver from Berkeley for having blood alcohol content greater than .05%. She was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released with a citation.

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

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