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Directory of Prior Reports

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On 3/31/2004, at approximately 0818 hours, Officer Tam stopped a motorist on Ashbury Avenue near Rockway Avenue after he learned that the ’94 Infiniti J30 had been reported stolen to Berkeley P.D..

Arrested was a 17-year-old male juvenile resident of Berkeley. The suspect was booked on a felony charge of auto theft before he was released to his mother. The El Cerrito Police Department will submit this case to Juvenile Probation and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for disposition.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink at: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/30/2004, at approximately 1830 hours, officers from this department responded to the 7400 block of Stockton Avenue following a report of a home burglary. According to a witness, a subject had entered a neighbor’s residence and was rummaging through the house. The suspect fled on a bicycle prior to police arrival but was located and apprehended a short distance away.

Arrested was Lamar Andrew Young, a 21-year-old resident of Oakland. Young was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a felony charge of 1st degree burglary before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

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

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On 3/30/2004, at approximately 1353 hours, officers from this department responded to the El Cerrito Florist to investigate a reported battery that had just occurred. As officers arrived they learned that the female suspect had left and entered the Forum Club after she attacked two women in front of the florist. According to witnesses, the suspect attempted to steal a plant and became combative when efforts were applied to stop her. The suspect’s response was violent and included dragging the florist owner and a friend by the hair.

Officer located the suspect inside the bar and took her into custody. Arrested was Eloina Morales, a 42-years-old who claimed to be homeless. Morales was booked on felony charges of robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and elder abuse before she was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

On 4/1/2004, the El Cerrito Police Department submitted this case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and obtained a formal complaint against Morales.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/29/2004, at approximately 2319 hours, Officer Wong conducted a pedestrian stop on a subject in the area of Richmond Street and Potrero Avenue. Richard Lewis Kaplan, a 51-year old resident of El Cerrito, was arrested when it was discovered that there was an active, felony, no bail warrant for his arrest for possession of cocaine held by Alameda County.

Kaplan was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/28/2004, at approximately 1650 hours, Officer Boutain conducted a pedestrian stop on a subject in the area of Cutting Boulevard and San Pablo Avenue. Brandon Leandre Allen, a 22-year old resident of Richmond, was arrested when it was discovered that there was an active, felony, no bail warrant for his arrest for possession of cocaine for sales held by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s.

Allen was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/26/2004, at approximately 2027 hours, Officer Purdy stopped a motorist in the Target parking lot for displaying expired license registration tabs. The driver, a known drug user who was subject to search due to his probation status, was removed from the van while the interior was searched. During the search a variety of suspected narcotics were located.

Arrested was Dennis Anthony Lanham Senior, a 53-year-old resident of El Cerrito. Lanham was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on felony charges of heroin, methamphetamine, methadone and paraphernalia possession before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink:(510) 215-4422.

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On 3/26/2004, at approximately 1556 hours, officers from this department responded to the area of the El Cerrito Plaza B.A.R.T. Station where an employee of Ross had chased a suspect who stole a suitcase filled with stolen merchandise. Police arrived and detained a subject who matched the description which had been provided. After the employee/witness identified the subject as the suspect who stole from Ross, his arrest was affected without incident.

Arrested was William Lamont Johnson, a 29-year-old resident of Richmond. Johnson was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on felony charges of commercial burglary and grand theft before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Johnson 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.

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On 3/26/2004, at approximately 1500 hours, officers from this department responded to Hollywood Video (11511 San Pablo Avenue) for a reported shoplift in progress. Officers arrived and met with an employee who advised that a subject, who was still inside the business, had used a knife to remove three dvd movies from their cases and concealed them inside his pants. Officers waited for the suspect to exit and took him into custody without incident. Police recovered the three stolen movies and located a box knife on the suspect.

Arrested was Michael Edward Stevens, a 24-year-old resident of Richmond. Stevens was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a felony charge of theft with priors before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Stevens 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.

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On 3/25/2004, at approximately 1931 hours, officers from this department were dispatched to Atlas Liquors for a call of a robbery in progress. Officers arrived and with assistance from B.A.R.T. Police Officers, took two suspects into custody. According to the liquor store owner, the two subjects had previously been the subject of two calls to the police earlier in the day for aggressive panhandling. On the third occasion, one subject entered and was refused business. The owner locked the subject inside and called the police. A struggled ensued between the suspect and employees, during which time the suspect claimed to have a gun and threatened to use it. The other subject was located across the street and arrested for disorderly conduct.

Arrested were Shante Lamar Merriweather, a 27-year-old resident of Oakland and Jodie Daniels, a 23-year-old resident of El Cerrito. Merriweather was booked on a felony charge of making terrorist threats. Daniels was booked for public intoxication and both were taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek formal complaints against Merriweather and Daniels 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.

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On 3/25/2004, at approximately 0238 hours, Corporal Bonini ran the license plate of a vehicle he observed traveling south on South 56th Street near Carlos Avenue. Shortly after the vehicle entered and parked in the driveway at 5601 Madison Avenue, dispatch advised that the Chevrolet Suburban had been reported stolen to the Vallejo Police Department. Corporal Bonini requested cover and took the driver and two passengers into custody.

Arrested were James Jonathan Pizzagrani (driver), an 18-year-old resident of Vacaville, Ryan Ray Vowiell, a 19-year-old resident of Richmond and Nikki Estelle Newman, a 19-year-old resident of Vallejo. Pizzagrani was booked on a felony charge of grand theft auto and violation of probation. Both Vowiell and Newman were booked for warrants and all three were delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will submit this case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office in order to obtain a formal complaint against Pizzagrani.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/22/2004, at approximately 2123 hours, Corporal Bonini observed a vehicle with expired registration parked in the 76 Station at the corner of Central Avenue and Carlson Boulevard. Corporal Bonini contacted three persons who were associated with the vehicle and inquired as to the ownership of the Cadillac. A female stated that the car belonged to her boyfriend. Corporal Bonini located a baggie of suspected methamphetamine attached to her identification card while attempting to confirm her identity.

Arrested was Linda Marie Quintana, a 48-year-old resident of Richmond. Quintana was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a felony charge for possession of a controlled substance before she was released pending laboratory analysis.

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

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

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On 3/22/2004, at approximately 0333 hours, Sergeant Statton observed a male subject walk away from a parked vehicle that was soon learned to be stolen. A female passenger was located inside along with a homemade incendiary device. The male subject was quickly located and taken into custody at a residence located at 833 ½ Kearney Street.

Arrested was John Christopher Hanks, a 30-year-old resident of Hayward and Della Marie Brown, a 37-year-old resident of Albany. Both were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on a variety of felony charges before they were delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

On March 24, 2004, this case was submitted to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office where a formal felony complaint was obtained against Hanks. No compliant was filed against Brown who was later released from jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/21/2004, at approximately 1230 hours, officers from this department responded to the 8400 block of Buckingham Drive upon report of a possible trespasser. Officers located and arrested a female inside the garage of the residence and also located stolen property on her person.

Arrested was Sandra May Coe, a 37-year-old transient. Coe was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on charges of burglary, possession of burglar tools and drug paraphernalia. Coe was later delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility on $50,000 bail where she awaits her arraignment

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/16/2004, at approximately 0100 hours, officers from this department, acting on a tip, converged on Hi Tech Car Audio (10538 San Pablo Avenue) where a subject was observed standing next to a rear door. When officers approached the business, they observed that a steel plate that served to secure the door had just been removed. The suspect had fled, but were located lying in a car a short distance away.

Arrested were Elijah James Vincent, 18 and Jamar Rashad Miller, 19, both resident of Richmond. Both were booked on a felony charge of attempted 2nd degree burglary .Miller was released following questioning. Vincent was subsequently transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

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

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On 3/14/2004, at approximately 1745 hours, Officer Purdy contacted a subject behind Copeland’s who was loading books into his car. The subject advised officer Purdy that he had just been released from jail after being arrested for possession of stolen property. In addition, the tabs on the license plate of his vehicle did not match the registration.

During a search of the vehicle, Officer Purdy located a small amount of suspected methamphetamines and took the subject into custody. Arrested was Mark Davin Gonzales, a 35-year-old resident of Berkeley. Gonzales was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department for narcotic possession and released per citation pending laboratory analysis.

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

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink:(510) 215-4422.

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On 3/11/2004, at approximately 1030 hours, detectives from this department converged on an apartment located at 1201 Liberty Street, #30 to execute a parole search. Detectives located the parolee and his wife seated inside. A search uncovered the presence of suspected methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia and stolen property, including a laptop computer.

Arrested were Jade Lee Perry, 35, and Ramila Patel, 46-year-old residents of El Cerrito. Both were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department on felonious charges of possession of stolen property, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and a parole hold was secured against Perry. Upon completion of booking, both Perry and Patel were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek formal complaints against Perry and Patel 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.

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On 3/10/2004, at approximately 1740 hours, Corporal Bonini observed a motorist driving west on Orchard Avenue. Corporal Bonini stopped the subject after he recognized the driver and knew that his license had been suspended. During the stop, dispatch confirmed that the driver’s license was suspended and that the passenger was wanted on a warrant for auto theft.

Corporal arrested the driver, Trevor John Valli, a 24-year-old resident of Richmond for being under the influence of a controlled substance and Jason Michael Vigil, a 23-year-old resident of El Cerrito for his warrant. Valli was booked and released per citation. Vigil was booked and delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/7/2004, at approximately 1538 hours, Sergeant Cliatt stopped a motorist on Tehama Avenue for exhibition of speed. A routine check revealed that the driver had a warrant for his arrest out of Solano County for a failure to appear on a drug paraphernalia charge.

Arrested was Leland David Hawkins, a 23-year-old resident of Richmond. While being driven to the El Cerrito Police Department, Hawkins confessed to Sergeant Cliatt that he had a knife that was fashioned into his belt buckle. In addition to his misdemeanor warrant, Hawkins was booked on a felony charge of possessing a dangerous weapon. Upon completion of booking, Hawkins was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Hawkins 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.

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On 3/7/2004, at approximately 1105 hours, officers from this department responded to a residence located in the 800 block of Everett Street to investigate a report of possible child abuse. Officers entered the home and determined that a 6-year-old child and her mother were inside along with two witnesses. Officers determined that the mother had used a leather belt to spank her son for alleged misbehavior.

Arrested was Leland Jennifer L. Brown, a 21-year-old resident of Oakland. Brown was booked on a felonious charge of Inflicting Corporal Injury to a Child before she was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Brown 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.

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On 3/6/2004, at approximately 1930 hours, Officer Purdy was dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence located in the 700 block of Norvell Street. The male caller had reported that his girlfriend had hit him on his head and bit his chest after he refused to give the intoxicated woman money. The female suspect’s tirade included the phone chord which she attempted to bite through while her boyfriend was calling the police.

Arrested was Shannon Marie Coester, a 45-year-old resident of El Cerrito. Coester was booked on a felony charge of domestic violence and attempting to disable a telephone line. Upon completion of booking, Coester was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink:(510) 215-4422.

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On 3/5/2004, at approximately 1330 hours, officers from this department responded to the 100 block of Ashbury Avenue upon report of an in-progress residential burglary. Dispatch provided officers of a suspect description: white male adult, wearing a light colored shirt and red baseball cap. Shortly after officers arrived a suspect was spotted and a foot pursuit ensued. The chase ended a few blocks away when ECPD Chief Scott Kirkland tackled the suspect on the west side of an apartment complex located at 1260 Brighton Avenue.

The suspect was found in possession of property, i.e. a watch and a ring that had been removed from the victim’s residence just minutes before his arrest. .

Arrested was Raymond David Rudarte, a 33-year-old resident of Oakland. Rudarte was booked on a felony charge of 1st degree burglary and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. A California Department of Corrections hold was placed on Duarte when it was determined that he was on parole for burglary. Upon completion of booking, Rudarte was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Rudarte 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.

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On 3/4/2004, at approximately 1504 hours, Officer Caputo responded to Target upon report of a female who was attempting to pass a forged or counterfeit check. When Officer Caputo arrived he located and contacted the suspect who attempted to flee on foot. She was apprehended inside the store and brought to the El Cerrito Police Department where she was booked on a charge of forgery, resisting arrest and also on an unrelated felony warrant.

Arrested was Sophia Cashan Barrett, a 28-year-old resident of Richmond. Upon completion of booking, Barrett was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

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

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On 3/3/2004, at approximately 1025 hours, Officer Tang was detailed to the El Cerrito High School where School Police Officer Small had arrested a student for being in possession of marijuana for sales. According to Officer Small, he acted on a tip that the student had been selling marijuana to students. The student was contacted in his classroom and brought to an office where 8 small baggies of marijuana were located in the student’s possession.

Arrested was a 17-year-old male juvenile resident of Richmond. The suspect was booked on a felony charge of possession of marijuana for sales before he was delivered to Juvenile Hall in Martinez. The El Cerrito Police Department will submit this case to Juvenile Probation and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for disposition.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Pierson at: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/1/2004, at approximately 2315 hours, Officer D. Alvarez was detailed to meet with R.P.D. Officer J. Zantonelli at Wall Street and San Pablo Avenue regarding a theft. According to an employee of Denny’s Restaurant (El Cerrito), a subject ordered a meal consisting of steak and eggs and left without payment. The employee pointed out the fleeing suspect to Officer J. Zantonelli as he fled northbound on San Pablo Avenue in a Nissan 300ZX. When Officer Zantonelli stopped the vehicle the driver confessed.

Arrested was Owen Stewart Rivas, a 28-year-old resident of San Pablo. Rivas was booked on felony charge of theft with priors before he was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Rivas 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.

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On 3/17/2004, at approximately 0815 hours, detectives from this department served a search/arrest warrant at 1455 Merced Street (Richmond). The execution of the warrant followed a police investigation that developed evidence that the resident had committed forgery while attempting to pass a counterfeit check at California Check Cashing in El Cerrito.

Arrested was Ronald James Solls, 45. Solls was booked on felony charges that included forgery, insufficient checks and commercial burglary. Upon completion of booking Solls was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility where he will await arraignment.

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

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

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On 3/18/2004, at approximately 1100 hours, detectives from this department converged on a residence located at 1824 21st Street in San Pablo where they located a person who was wanted for questioning regarding an auto theft.

Arrested was 20-year-old Jeffrey Shankar. He was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department for auto theft before he was delivered to the Martinez Detention Facility

This case was later submitted to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office where it was decided that a complaint would not be issued. Shankar was later released from jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Zink: (510) 215-4422.

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On 3/3/2004, at approximately 1140 hours, detectives from this department served a warrant at 547 El Paseo Drive in Oakland. The Ramey warrant secured the arrest of Wanita Scott, a 25-year-old resident of Oakland who is suspect of committing a forgery at Bank of the West on 9/17/2003.

This is the second arrest that has been made in connection with this investigation. 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.

Upon completion of booking, Scott was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

The El Cerrito Police Department will seek a formal complaint against Rivas 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.