Police Arrest 3 Teens in BART Path Robbery Attempt

Editor's note: the El Cerrito Police Blotter below is provided by the El Cerrito Police Department.

March 11, 2013 

Warrant Arrest & Possession of Marijuana for Sale - Potrero Avenue @ Eastshore Boulevard 
An officer arrested a 19-year-old Richmond man for a warrant, during a traffic stop. When the subject was searched, during booking, 18 baggies of marijuana were found in the man’s pants. The man was also booked for being in possession of marijuana for sale. 

Brandishing a Weapon - 6000 block of Potrero Avenue 
Officers were dispatched to the report of a male suspect brandishing a knife and then puncturing one of the victim’s tires. The suspect, later identified as a 33 year-old man from Truckee, fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers. 

Burglary - 210 El Cerrito Plaza 
Officers were dispatched to Plaza Jewelers during the early morning hours of March 12 on the report of a burglar alarm activation. Upon arrival, the officers discovered that an unknown suspect vandalized the business by repeatedly striking the front window of the business with an object. The vandalism left a small hole in the window. The suspect fled the area without entering the business. 

March 12, 2013 

Robbery - 600 block of Liberty Street 
At approximately 1812 hours, four subjects approached two college students as they were walking home from the BART station. As the victims were walking, the suspect pushed down one of the students causing him to drop his cellular phone on the ground. The suspect picked up the cellular phone and then shoved the second student to the ground as he tried to run away. The suspect and his associates fled the scene before officers arrived. They got away, for the moment. 

Warrant Arrest - Potrero Avenue @ I-80 
An officer arrested a 31 year-old Antioch man for an arrest warrant during a traffic enforcement stop. The officer booked the man at ECPD and then transported him to county jail. 

Speed Contest and Possession of Burglary Tools - San Pablo Avenue @ Conlon Avenue 
An officer arrested a 29 year-old Sacramento man and a 19 year-old Pinole man for engaging in a speed contest on San Pablo Avenue. The officer also charged the 29 year-old man and his passenger, a 26 year-old female from Sacramento, for being in possession of burglary tools. All of the parties were booked and released with citations. 

Stolen Vehicle - 400 block of Liberty Street 
An officer located a stolen 1991 Honda Civic. The Honda was reported stolen to the San Leandro Police Department on March 7. 

Drunk in Public - 10900 San Pablo Avenue 
An officer arrested a 50-year-old San Francisco man after he showed up at the El Cerrito Police Department extremely intoxicated. The man had come to the police department to pick up property. Officers booked him and transported him to county jail to sober up. 

March 13, 2013 

Robbery - BART path @ Lincoln Avenue 
At approximately 1920 hours, the victim was riding his bicycle southbound along the BART path when three juveniles approached him. One of the juveniles pushed the man off his bicycle, which caused him to drop his cellular phone on the ground. The suspect picked up the victim’s cellular phone and ran off, northbound along the BART path. Responding officers were unable to locate the suspects. 

Vandalism & Hate Crime - 500 block of Elm Street, 724 Kearney Street and the BART path 
An unknown suspect spray-painted “666” and swastikas at these locations. 

Burglary - 1932 Key Boulevard 
An unknown suspect climbed into the residence via an open kitchen window and stole cash and passports. Time of occurrence: 0950-1110 on March 13. 

Driving Under the Influence - Cutting Boulevard @ Peerless Avenue 
Officers arrested a 31-year-old Richmond man for DUI during a traffic enforcement stop. Officers booked the man and then released him to a sober friend. 

March 14, 2013 

Possession of Marijuana for Sale - 540 Ashbury Avenue 
Officers detained a 15 year-old juvenile for selling marijuana laced Rice Crispy Treats at El Cerrito High. Officers took the juvenile to the El Cerrito Police Department and released the juvenile to guardians. 

Burglary - 3200 block of Santa Clara Avenue 
An unknown suspect broke the lock of a Ford van and stole over $1,000 worth of tools. The time of occurrence was between 1830 hours on 3/13 and 0730 hours on 3/14. 

Burglary - 10300 block of San Pablo Avenue 
An unknown suspect broke the window of a Dodge Caravan and stole clothing and make-up. The time of occurrence was 1515 hours on 3/14. 

Attempt Robbery/Conspiracy - BART path@ Eureka Ave. 
Due to the recent robberies in the area, an officer was conducting covert surveillance of the area and noticed three suspicious juveniles. The officer noticed the juveniles appeared to be running after a community member in the area. Unable to catch up to the first person, the juveniles separated. One of the juveniles ran ahead of another community member and hid behind a BART pillar. The other two juveniles began to approach the community member from behind, quickly, as they were looking over their shoulders. 

Fearing for the safety of the community member, the officer coordinated with other officers to rapidly detain the juveniles and take them into custody. During the investigation, investigators were able link the juveniles in the incident today to several previous robberies in the area. Officers detained two 17-year-old males from Richmond and a 16-year-old male from San Pablo. Officers took them to Juvenile Hall. 

Weekday Wrap-up 
Community members are often at their most vulnerable as they return home, after a long day at school or work. At the end of the day, people are often less aware of their surroundings as they focus on getting home and seeing their family and friends.

During these times, it is especially important to be aware of your surroundings and fellow commuters and neighbors. Frequently, robbers target their victims during the early evening hours, when many people are using pathways and sidewalks to walk home.

Although street robberies are relatively rare, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and watch out for your neighbors. If you see suspicious people lurking on a pathway or sidewalk, do not hesitate to call the police.

The El Cerrito Police are only one part of the El Cerrito Community’s policing effort. The El Cerrito Police Department relies on the El Cerrito community members to be the first line in crime prevention and reporting.

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

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