Directory of Prior Reports

On 1-29-2004, at approximately 1343 hours, officers of the El Cerrito Police Department responded to Safeway to investigate a report of a shoplifter who was resisting with security. According to Safeway Security Personnel, the suspect had entered the store and immediately made his way to the medicine aisle where he rifled a large amount of medicinal products down his pants and under his coat. The suspect left the store without making payment and struggled with security during his arrest. The suspect sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital where he attempted to escape without success.

Arrested was Donelle J. Porter, a 21-year-old resident of Alameda. Porter was booked into County Jail in Martinez on charges of robbery, attempted escape and violation of parole.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal felony complaint against Porter with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko:(510) 215-4419.

On 1-19-2004, at approximately 1615 hours, Officer Carcione stopped a motorist in the area of Bayview Avenue and South 59th Street (Richmond) for a speed violation. Officer Carcione investigated the driver for narcotic influence due to his demeanor and objective symptoms. During his investigation, the driver advised Officer Carcione that there was a small amount of methamphetamine and some drug paraphernalia inside his car. A subsequent search confirmed the driver’s allegations.

Arrested was Keith Dewayne Gearhart, a 24-year-old resident of Richmond. Hale was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on charges of narcotic possession, being under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gearhart was released pending laboratory analysis.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Gearhart with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko: (510) 215-4419.

On Monday, January 19, 2004, at approximately 0334 hours, Officer D. Alvarez was patrolling in the area of San Pablo Avenue and Potrero Avenue when he observed a vehicle without license plates. During a traffic stop, Officer Alvarez discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen. The driver was subsequently taken into custody.

Arrested was Jorge Arteaga, a 29-year-old resident of San Jose. Arteaga was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a charge of auto theft before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Arteaga with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko: (510) 215-4419.

On Friday, January 16, 2004 at approximately 1415 hours, Corporal Garman ran a license plate check of a vehicle that was traveling in the area of Fairmount Avenue and Liberty Street. When she learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen, she conducted a felony car stop in the front parking lot of Albertson’s (El Cerrito Plaza).

Arrested were Natalie Joy Konz, 20, Berkeley and Starlisha Vanisha Hegler, 20, Oakland. Both were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a charge of auto theft. Gerber, the driver, was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility and Hegler was released on her own recognizance.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s declined prosecution in this matter after their review of the report.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko: (510) 215-4419.

On Friday, January 16, 2004 at approximately 0035 hours, Officer Shaman ran the license plate of a vehicle displaying expired tabs. After learning that the vehicle had been reported stolen, Officer Shaman followed the ’89 Toyota Corolla into the McDonald’s parking lot (San Pablo Avenue and Wall Avenue). Officer Shaman contacted the female driver who claimed she had borrowed the car from an acquaintance named “Jose”.

Arrested was Angela Mozelle Parks, a 31-year-old resident of Richmond. Parks was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a charge of auto theft in addition to her felony warrant for a previous narcotics charge. Upon completion of booking, Parks was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal felony complaint against Parks with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko: (510) 215-4419.

On 1-14-2004, at approximately 2315 hours, officers from this department were dispatched to the 1400 block of South 56th Street to investigate a report of a man trying to break into a residence. The caller/resident advised that the suspect was a man who she had obtained a restraining order against. The suspect was located by officers at the scene and was taken into custody following violent resistance and several attempts to escape.

Arrested was Richard Lee Anderson, a 38-year-old resident of Oakland. Anderson was booked on charges violating a domestic violence restraining order, attempted burglary, resisting police and destruction of jail property before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Anderson with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko at (510) 215-4419.

On 1-11-2004 at approximately 2221 hours, officers of the El Cerrito Police Department responded to the Metrocell business (11228 San Pablo Avenue) to investigate a reported burglary in progress. Three male juveniles were located and detained near the business. Witnesses confirmed to police that the three detainees were the ones who were attempting to kick in the front door of the business.

Arrested were three juvenile residents of Richmond who were booked and released to a parent/guardian.

The El Cerrito Police Department will submit this case to the Contra Costa County Juvenile Probation Department for disposition.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko: (510) 215-4419.

On 1-11-2004 at approximately 1250 hours, Sergeant Cliatt stopped a suspicious vehicle in the area of Tehama Avenue and Butte Avenue. During the stop, Sergeant Cliatt queried the driver about the identity of his passenger. Following the car stop, Sergeant Cliatt determined that the driver had lied about the passenger’s name. The passenger turned out to be a parolee at large.

The following day Sergeant Cliatt observed the driver at Bay Superior Court and took him into custody following a foot pursuit which terminated at the intersection of So. 32nd Street and Mac Donald Avenue.

Arrested was Lorenzo Arthur Calvin, a 26-year-old resident of Richmond. Calvin was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a charge of accessory and delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

A complaint will be sought with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Pierson at (510) 215-4418.

On 1-10-2004, at approximately 1924 hours, Officer D. Alvarez arrived at the parking lot of Walgreen to investigate a reported disturbance between a husband and wife. According to the female victim, her husband struck her twice, once on each side of her face. Additionally, her husband drove their car through the parking lot while intoxicated.

Arrested was Edgar Zapata, a 28-year-old resident of Richmond. Zapata was booked on a charge of spousal battery and driving while under the influence before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Zapata with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Pierson at (510) 215-4418.

On January 1, 2004 at 1140 pm El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Nation’s located at 6060 Central Ave. on the report of a Robbery and Car Jacking. Officers interviewed two victims at the business who reported that they had been confronted by an armed gunman in the parking lot who stole their wallets and their vehicle. The victims described the suspects as a Hispanic male 35-40 510 220 wearing a black puffy jacket and armed with a handgun. The second suspect was described as a Hispanic female 20-30 505 140 wearing a red and black Halloween mask and a grey hood. Both suspect fled the area in the victims blue 2001 4 door Saturn license 4SNC340.

Approximately 30 minutes after the robbery the vehicle was spotted in the City of Richmond by police. The vehicle fled from the officer onto hwy 580 toward Oakland where it was joined by the California Highway Patrol. Officers engaged in a pursuit of the vehicle to Oakland where the vehicle was lost. The vehicle and suspects are still outstanding and should be considered armed and dangerous. If the vehicle is spotted please call 911 and report the location of the vehicle to the police.

Following leads, detectives from the El Cerrito Police Department, identified Anthony Gutierrez and Angela Rose Herrera as the two suspects who committed the car-jacking and later fled from the Richmond Police Department during a dangerous high-speed pursuit.

On 1-26-2004, Anthony Leo Gutierrez, a 26-year-old resident of Richmond, was arrested by Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies in El Sobrante during the commission of an auto burglary. On 2-12-2004, Angela Herrera, a 22-year-old resident of San Pablo/Richmond, surrendered herself to the Rohnert Park Police Department.

The El Cerrito Police Department later obtained felony complaints against Gutierrez and Herrera with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The complaint charged both with car-jacking, robbery, felony evading and felon in possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (Gutierrez).

Anyone with questions or information regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On 1-9-2004 at approximately 0251 hours, officers from the El Cerrito Police Department responded to the Best Inn (6009 Potrero Avenue) to investigate a payment dispute between management and guests. The Best Inn explained that two guests, who had yet to vacate their room, had failed to pay for their stay. As officers looked into the matter, it became clear that the hotel had been given a fraudulent check as payment or collateral. Following their arrest, a search of their room uncovered a large amount of evidence indicating a history of widespread fraud by both suspects.

Arrested were Esperanza Westergaard, a 33-year-old resident of Martinez and Anthony Scott Pawlowicz, a 33-year-old resident of Concord. Both were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a variety of fraud and theft related offenses before they were delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek formal felony complaints against Westergaard and Pawlowicz with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective P.Keith:(510) 215-4420.

On 1-08-2004 at approximately 1800 hours, Officer Wentworth was dispatched to Target for a shoplifter who had been detained. According to a Target employee, a female suspect entered the store and concealed selected merchandise into a yellow bag. She also put a shirt on and left the store without making payment. The suspect was contacted outside the store and escorted to the security office where the police were called.

Arrested was Lonnie Lynne Smith, a 38-year-old resident of El Cerrito. Smith was booked for shoplift with priors and a parole hold before she was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Smith with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Savko at (510) 215-4419.

On 1-08-2004 at approximately 0238 hours, Corporal Bonini made a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle for several violations that he observed. During the stop he discovered that one of the occupants was in possession of throwing stars (Martial Arts weapon) and that the other occupant was wanted pursuant to an active warrant.

Arrested on a deadly weapons charge was Arthur Krakowski, a 30-year-old resident of Hercules. Theresa Maria Wortman was arrested on a warrant for auto theft and possession of stolen property .Krakowski was released on a citation and Wortman was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

A complaint for Krakowski will be sought with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Pierson at (510) 215-4418.

On 1-07-2004 at approximately 1346 hours, Officer Tang was detailed to investigate a forgery that was occurring at California Check Cashing, located at 10394 San Pablo Avenue. Officer Tang located the suspect standing next to a teller window. Following his investigation, Officer Tang took the suspect into custody after determining that she had attempted to cash a forged Western Union check.

Arrested was Lashawnda Marie Hawkins-Calhoun, a 33-year-old resident of Richmond. Hawkins-Calhoun was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a charge of check forgery and released pending further investigation.

A complaint will be sought with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Pierson at (510) 215-4418.

On Wednesday January 7, 2004 Officer R. Alvarez conducted an investigation into a call regarding possible Domestic Violence in the 700 block of Kearney St at approximately 6:30am.

Officer Alvarez arrested Hamisi Amani Marshall (26) of El Cerrito after it was determined that he assaulted his live-in girlfriend causing a visible injury two days prior and attempted to assault her with a glass paper weight just prior to the call on the 7th. Marshall was booked into the county jail charged with corporal injury to a cohabitant and assault with a deadly weapon.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On 1-07-2004 at approximately 0030 hours, Corporal Bonini made a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle for an obstructed rear license plate. During the stop he discovered that the driver was unlicensed and decided to impound the truck. During an inventory and consensual search of the truck, Corporal Bonini located a large quantity of marijuana under the front seat. Other items such as cash, cell phone and a pellet gun contributed to Corporal Bonini’s opinion that the driver was in the business of drug sales.

Arrested was Nicholas Alexander Roman, a 19-year-old resident of El Cerrito. Roman was booked for narcotic violations and released pending laboratory analysis.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Roman with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Pierson at (510) 215-4418.

On Monday January 5, 2004 Officer Purdy located a vehicle displaying false registration tabs in the area of San Pablo Ave. @ Cutting Blvd. During the investigation Officer Purdy arrested Daniel Patrick McGill (34) of San Pablo after he gave a false name to avoid arrest on an outstanding warrant on a domestic violence charge. During the arrest Mr. McGill was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Mr. McGill was booked for providing false information to a police officer, possession of methamphetamine and the outstanding warrant. He was then transferred to the county jail in Martinez.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On Monday January 5, 2004 Officer Leone arrested Steven Jeffrey Pearce (25) of Alamo for petty theft shoplifting after it was determined that he entered Albertson’s in the El Cerrito Plaza, concealed items on his person and exited the business making no attempt to pay for the items.

Based on his prior criminal history Mr. Pearce was booked into the county jail for felony petty theft with prior convictions.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On Monday January 5, 2004 Officer Doty reported the citizen’s arrest of Trinidad Thomas Xavier (21) of Oakland from the Target store located at 11450 San Pablo Ave. Mr. Xavier was arrested by Target loss prevention officers after he was observed leaving the business with property that was not paid for. During booking it was determined that Mr. Xavier had prior arrests and convictions for theft related crimes. He was booked into the county jail in Martinez charged with felony petty theft with priors.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On Monday January 5, 2004 Sergeant Cliatt conducted a traffic stop on a Chevy Camaro for several traffic violations. During the contact Sergeant Cliatt determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day to the Pittsburg Police Department. Sergeant Cliatt arrested Humberto Guzman (19) of Pittsburg for possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Mr. Guzman was booked into the county jail in Martinez.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On January 5th, 2003, Officer Carcione, of the El Cerrito Police Department, responded to an attempted forgery at Citibank. During his investigation, Officer Carcione determined that the suspect entered the bank and attempted to cash a stolen check. The bank employees cancelled the transaction after they determined that the check was stolen. Officer Carcione arrested the suspect as he attempted to leave the bank after his failed transaction.

Arrested was Gerald Tyrone Dixon (19), of San Francisco, CA. Gerald Dixon was booked and transported to county jail on the charge of forgery. A complaint will be sought against Gerald Dixon with the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions regarding this case should be directed to Detective Keith at (510) 215-4420.

On Sunday January 4, 2004 Corporal Garman was on patrol in the area of San Pablo Ave. @ Madison Ave. Corporal Garman ran a registration check on a 1996 Honda Prelude as it passed her location and learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Berkeley Police Department. Officers followed the vehicle to Hill St. @ San Pablo Ave where they conducted a felony vehicle stop and arrested Stuart James (23) of El Sobrante. Mr. James was found in possession of several shaved keys commonly used to steal vehicles as well as drug paraphernalia. Mr. James was booked into the county jail in Martinez for possession of the stolen motor vehicle and related charges.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423

On Sunday January 4, 2004 Officer Shaman was circulating the area of West El Cerrito looking for a recently reported stolen vehicle. Officer Shaman observed an unrelated vehicle in the area of S. 55th @ Carlson Blvd. and ran a registration check on the license plate. Officer Shaman determined that this vehicle had been reported stolen to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department in December. Officer Shaman contacted the occupants of the vehicle and arrested the 16 year old driver from Richmond and the passenger Sang Chaofong of Richmond for possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The juvenile driver was booked into Juvenile Hall in Martinez and the passenger was released pending additional investigation.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples, El Cerrito Police Department (510) 215-4423.

On January 1, 2004 at 1140 pm El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Nation’s located at 6060 Central Ave. on the report of a Robbery and Car Jacking. Officers interviewed two victims at the business who reported that they had been confronted by an armed gunman in the parking lot who stole their wallets and their vehicle. The victims described the suspects as a Hispanic male 35-40 510 220 wearing a black puffy jacket and armed with a handgun. The second suspect was described as a Hispanic female 20-30 505 140 wearing a red and black Halloween mask and a grey hood. Both suspect fled the area in the victims blue 2001 4 door Saturn license 4SNC340.

Approximately 30 minutes after the robbery the vehicle was spotted in the City of Richmond by police. The vehicle fled from the officer onto hwy 580 toward Oakland where it was joined by the California Highway Patrol. Officers engaged in a pursuit of the vehicle to Oakland where the vehicle was lost.

The vehicle and suspects are still outstanding and should be considered armed and dangerous. If the vehicle is spotted please call 911 and report the location of the vehicle to the police.

On 09-17-2004, Officer Carcione, of the El Cerrito Police Department, responded to Bank of the West to document a case of forgery. During his investigation, Officer Carcione discovered that two suspects entered the bank and cashed a total of three counterfeit checks, in rapid succession. These suspects were later identified and two probable cause warrants were issued for their arrest.

On 02-10-2004 at approximately 0153 hours, officers from the Sutter Creek Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle. During the traffic stop, the Sutter Creek Police Officers had the occasion to identify a passenger in the vehicle, Venicia Potts, a 26-year-old resident of Oakland. The Sutter Creek Police Officer arrested Venicia Potts on the $20,000 El Cerrito Police Department probable cause warrant, issued in conjunction with Officer Carcione’s investigation.

Venicia Potts was transported to the Amador County Jail where she was subsequently transferred to the Main Detention Facility in Martinez, CA.

The El Cerrito Police Department continues its investigation of this incident and will seek a felony complaint, against Venicia Potts, with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Paul Keith at (510) 215-4420.