POLICE LOG: Thieves Nab Display Computers; K9 Koda IDs Robbery Suspect

July 12, 2013

Possession of Stolen Property and Warrant Arrest – 6500 block of Barrett Ave.
At approximately 0900 hours, El Cerrito police officers conducted a security check of a vacated residence where “squatters” are frequenting. Officers located seven individuals illegally living inside. An officer arrested a 36-year-old female from San Francisco for an outstanding warrant and a 35-year-old male from Richmond for possession of stolen property. Both subjects were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

El Cerrito Code Enforcement responded to the residence. The Code Enforcement officer determined that the structure was not safe for habitation and posted notices prohibiting anyone from occupying the dwelling. The other occupants were removed from the residence. A relative of the homeowner arrived with a locksmith and changed all the locks to the doors.

Arrest for Petty Theft with Prior Theft Conviction – CVS Pharmacy, 10650 San Pablo Ave.
At approximately 1439 hours, an officer accepted the citizen’s arrest of a 53-year-old male from Richmond after he stole food items from CVS. During booking, officers learned that the male had a prior theft arrest with jail time served. The male was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – San Pablo Ave. at Stockton Ave.
At approximately 1502 hours, during a suspicious persons call, an officer arrested an 18-year-old female from Newark after he determined she was under the influence of a controlled substance. The female was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Strongarm Robbery – Elm St. / Donal Ave.
Officers responded to a report of a purse snatch robbery. The victim reported that the suspect fled southbound on Elm St., following the crime. Officers scoured the area and located the suspect on Kearney St., near the Department of Motor Vehicles. Officers arrested Anthony Page, a 22-year-old Berkeley resident. Mr. Page helped the officers recover the victim’s property. Officers booked Mr. Page at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported him to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Driving under the Influence – Central Ave. / Yolo Ave.
Officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the driver, a 41 year-old Richmond man, for driving under the influence of alcohol. The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released to a sober relative.

Public Intoxication, Resisting arrest – 10042 San Pablo Ave.
Officers located a male and female in a vacant lot. While speaking with the 46-year-old El Cerrito woman, officers determined that she was extremely intoxicated. The woman began disobeying verbal commands by officers and pushed an officer. Officers arrested the woman and took her to county jail.

July 13, 2013

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – San Pablo Ave. at El Dorado St.
At approximately 0305 hours, an officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle and arrested the driver, a 36 year old male from Suisun City, for being under the influence of alcohol. The male was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released on a citation.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – 10560 San Pablo Ave.
At approximately 0717 hours, an officer located and recovered an unoccupied Nissan Murano, which was reported stolen to the Martinez Police Department on July 11. Officers later released the vehicle to the owner.

Possession of Controlled Substances – San Pablo Ave. at Schmidt Ln.
At approximately 1039 hours, an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a bicyclist. The officer arrested the bicyclist, a 39-year-old male from Richmond, for possession of methamphetamine. The male was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and later released.

Commercial Burglary – 410 El Cerrito Plaza
At 1930 hours, a suspect entered the Verizon Wireless store and stole 11 display phones and iPads before fleeing on foot.

Warrant Arrest – Terrace Dr. / Moeser Ln.
Officers conducted a suspicious vehicle check and arrested the passenger, a 21 year-old San Pablo woman, for an outstanding warrant. The woman was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Koda at Work
K9 Koda and other El Cerrito officers assisted the BART Police with a search near Del Norte BART station.
The El Cerrito Officers and Koda helped BART PD locate a suspect in an armed robbery. In addition, El Cerrito officers also helped search for evidence in the crime.

July 14, 2013

Robbery and Hate Crime – Nation’s, 6060 Central Ave.
At 0539 hours, two subjects approached a group of juveniles in the restaurant and began directing racial/ethnicity based comments toward them. The juveniles left the business and the subjects confronted them in the parking lot, threatened them while using race/ethnicity based slurs, and then demanded their property. The subjects took property from the victims and assaulted one of the juveniles. El Cerrito units located the suspects and determined that the suspects, Muiruri Kamurua, a 19-year-old from Albany, and Gerson Alexis Dias, an 18-year-old from Albany, committed the crime, in part, due to the perceived racial/ethnic characteristics of the victims. Officers booked the pair at the El Cerrito Police Department and then transported them to county jail.

Petty Theft – Safeway 11450 San Pablo Ave.
An officer accepted the citizen’s arrest of a 39-year-old male from Emeryville, after he stole items from Safeway. The male was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released on a citation.

Petty Theft – 11344 San Pablo Ave.
An officer accepted the citizen’s arrest of a 61-year-old Oakland woman after she ate a meal at Denny’s then could not pay for her meal. The woman was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – San Pablo Ave. / Central Ave.
An officer conducted a bicycle enforcement stop and subsequently arrested a 47-year-old Richmond man for possession of methamphetamine. The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released.

Mental Health Evaluation
A 53 year-old El Cerrito man was referred for a psychiatric evaluation after he called 911 to report poisonous gases in the ground and hearing voices. The man was sent to the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

Safety Advice from a nightshift sergeant
In July, the El Cerrito Police Department rotated officers to new assignments. One sergeant switched from a dayshift assignment to a nightshift assignment. While patrolling the city on his new shift, he noticed that many people out walking at night do not use flashlights or reflective clothing. If you walk during the evening, consider wearing reflective garments or lighting aids to increase your visibility.