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On March 30th, 2006 at 1425 an officer had to respond to the Berkeley BART station to collect a suspect in a theft that had been detained by the BART police. The suspect, Luther Amos, a 23 year old El Cerrito male had taken a cab from Vallejo to the Del Norte BART station in El Cerrito and failed to pay his $76 cab fare. He fled on a BART train. The cab driver caught the attention of a BART officer who accompanied the cab driver onto the train where the driver identified Amos and had hi detained. As the theft of services had occurred in El Cerrito’s jurisdiction, Amos was booked by El Cerrito PD. Amos was found to be on parole for robbery. He was transported to county jail on a charge of Theft with Priors and a Parole Hold.

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

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On Thursday March 3rd, 2006 an El Cerrito officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle. During the stop, the officer contacted the driver, Yaquelin Orozco-Colindes of Richmond and the passenger, Yesenia Perez. During the investigation the officer located several credit cards and CDL belonging to another person. Colindes was cited for the vehicle code violation and the property was collected for further investigation.

ECPD Investigations conducted follow-up in regards to this case and confirmed the property was stolen from a vehicle in San Rafael. Detectives contacted Colindes and she agreed to turn herself in. On September 19th, 2006 Colindes was placed under arrest for possession of stolen property and transported to the county jail.

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

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On Wednesday, March 29th, 2006 at 1004 hours officers responded to the California Check Cashing Store on report of a woman trying to cash a fraudulent check. The officers arrived and detained Angie Kim Taufoou, a 34 year old Sunnyvale resident for investigation of the counterfeit check. Taufoou had tried to cash the check the day before but had been told to return at a time when the issuing bank was open to confirm the check. She had returned and the business learned that the check was fraudulent. Taufoou provided several stories as to how she had obtained the check and was booked on charges of forgery. The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for their review.

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

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On Tuesday, March 28th, 2006 at 2100 hours an officer observed a 1991 Buick Century driving erratically in the El Cerrito Plaza and conducted a vehicle stop on the car. The driver identified himself with a false name and was arrested for reckless driving. The vehicle was subsequently found to be listed as a stolen car from San Anselmo, taken earlier in the day. The driver was identified by his fingerprints as John Edward Garcia, a 25 year old male from Oakland. He was charged with Motor Vehicle Theft and Reckless Driving and transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418

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On March 25th, 2006 at 0700 hours officers responded to the area of Potrero Ave and Liberty St on report of a man passed out in a car. The officers arrived to find the man in a parked car with the wipers running and the driver snoring. When the officers were able to finally arouse the driver he was found to be intoxicated. He was also found to be on Parole for a previous Vehicular manslaughter. Jason Lorenzo Brooks, a 25 year old Elk Grove man was placed under arrest, having a Blood Alcohol level of 0.126% He was charged with felony drunk driving as he had numerous prior convictions for DUI. A parole hold was obtained and he was transported to the county jail.

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

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On Friday, March 24th, 2006 at 1511 hours, after school an officer took a report of a student brandishing a BB gun at the Fairmount Elementary School, located at 724 Kearney St. on Thursday, March, 23rd. The officer received the BB gun from School personnel and began an investigation. A 11 year old male student from Richmond had reportedly taken the BB gun out and threatened other students with the gun to get answers to a test. A female student was found in possession of the BB gun by school personnel investigating the claims by other students about the incident during the test. The two students have been referred to the juvenile probation department.

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

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On Friday, March 24th, 2006 at 1445 hours officers responded to the Copeland’s Porting Goods store located at 300 El Cerrito Plaza on report of a shoplifting that had just occurred. While the officer was taking the report of the theft of shoes, an employee called on the phone and stated that he had been following the suspects in his car when they left. The suspect and two friends had exited their car and were in the area of San Pablo Ave and Eureka Ave. The officer responded tot eh area and detained the suspect and the friends. The friends were released from the scene as there was no evidence to show they were involved in the crime. The officer located property belonging to Copeland’s and to the Ross Store in the El Cerrito Plaza. The officer placed the suspect, identified as Joshua Bell, a 23 year old Richmond resident under arrest and transported him for booking. Bell was found to have prior convictions fro theft and was booked on charges of theft with priors and transported to the county jail.

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

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On Friday, March 24th, 2006 at 1240 hours officers responded to the Bank of the West, located at 11100 San Pablo Ave on report of a forgery in progress. Bennie Hattley, a 46 year old black male from Oakland presented a stolen check to be cashed. The owner of the check was contacted and confirmed that he had not written the check. Hattley was arrested for forgery and the investigation revealed that he had obtained the check by selling someone fake marijuana and had been paid with a blank check which he then filled out. Hattley was transported to the county jail.

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

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On March 21st, 2006 at 1520 hours officers responded to the Wells Fargo bank located at 9800 San Pablo Ave on report of a forgery in progress. A person had previously attempted to cash the same check, evidenced by the fingerprint on the check. This alerted the teller that something was wrong. The suspect, Kristian Burrell, a 24 year old black female from Richmond claimed to have received the check for payment from a company in Australia that she connected with on Craigslist. Burrell was charged with Forgery, Burglary and possession of a fictitious check and transported to the county jail.

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

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On Monday, March 20, 2006, at 1902 hours arrested 37 year old El Cerrito resident, Bryan Allphin on several assault charges. During Allphin’s transport to the El Cerrito jail, he spit on officers several times. During Allphin’s booking, he spit on officers several times. Additional charges of battery upon a peace officer were added. Allphin was booked and then sent to the county jail.

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

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On Sunday, March 19th, 2006 at 1445 hours officers responded to a disturbance in the 5300 block of School St. The officers arrived to find a brother and sister arguing. Kimberly Smith, a 41 year old El Cerrito resident was placed under citizen’s arrest by her brother for making terrorist threats against him. During the argument a door was ripped off its hinges. No one was injured during the argument. Smith was booked for Terrorist Threats and transported to the county jail. The case will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s office for disposition.

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

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On Saturday, March 18th, 2006 at 2305 hours a resident in the 1300 block of Contra Costa Blvd. in El Cerrito heard his van being started in front of his house. He went outside and confronted the person stealing his van. He grabbed onto the driver of his van as the van pulled away. The victim sustained a minor injury when he struck a sign pole as the van was pulling away. He was able to get to another car and pursue the van onto Arlington Blvd where the two vehicles were seen speeding by an El Cerrito Officer. As the van drove into Kensington, a Kensington officer began a pursuit of the van and the chasing vehicle yielded to the El Cerrito officer and explained the incident.

The suspects abandoned the van a short distance into Kensington and left on foot. The three suspects ere detained on King Drive just south of Moeser Lane. The victim was able to identify the driver of his van and the three were arrested.

The three Hispanic suspects were aged 15 to 17. Two were brothers and lived in San Pablo, while the third suspect lived in Richmond. After talking with the suspects several other stolen vehicles were located in the area and are believed to be work of the three suspects. They were all transported to the Juvenile Hall in Martinez on charges of Carjacking, Hit and Run, evading, and assault with a deadly weapon.

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

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On Saturday, March 18th, 2006 at 1635 hours officers responded tot the Target store located at 11450 San Pablo Ave on report of a shop lifter in custody. When the officers arrived they determined that the suspect had given the store personnel a false name. He was actually on parole and had a history of theft convictions. Marvin Spencer, a 46 year old San Francisco male was booked on charges of theft with priors and transported to the county jail.

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

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On March 18th, 2006 at 0950 hours officers responded to the California Check Cashing store located at 10394 San Pablo Ave. on report of a person in the store that had tried to cash a closed account check. Upon the arrival of the officers they detained Milton Knapp, a 47 year old Oakland man fro investigation of forgery. He had on the previous day presented a check and his ID in an attempt to cash a check. The employees thought it odd that several checks from the same account had come in on the same day and checked on the account status and found it to be closed. Knapp had left the store without his ID or the check and returned on the 18th in an attempt to retrieve his ID.

Knapp was arrested for forgery and transported to the county jail.

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

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On Friday, March 17th, 2006 at 0150 hours an officer observed a BMW driving the wrong way on a one way street at Plumas Ave San Pablo Ave. The car was stopped for the violation and the officer conducted an investigation for possible impairment. The driver, Baljinder Singh, a 29 year old El Cerrito man admitted to having smoked methamphetamine in the past hour. He also was found to have a gram and a half of methamphetamine in his pocket. He was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and released on a citation.

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

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On Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at 1135 hours officers were dispatched to the area of Richmond Street and Moeser Lane regarding a fight. Officers arrived at the scene and then conducted an investigation. The officers arrested two 13 year old Richmond residents for assault with a deadly weapon. The juveniles were booked and then released to their parents.

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

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On Tuesday, March 14, 2006, between 1657 and 1725 hours officers responded to two related street robberies. The first was on Conlon Avenue near the BART Path. The second was to the rear of 2000 El Cerrito Plaza. Officers conducted investigations and arrested four juvenile suspects between the ages of 13 and 17. All of the suspects reside in Richmond. All of the juveniles were booked for robbery. Two of the juveniles were sent to juvenile hall and the other two were released to their parents.

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

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On Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 1645 hours officers responded to a disturbance call in the 5300 block of School Street. During the investigation officers placed Joshua Bell, a 23 year old El Cerrito resident under arrest for an El Cerrito PD Ramey Warrant. Bell was booked and then sent to the county jail.

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

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On Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 0645 hours detectives and patrol officers served a search warrant in the 1700 block of Lexington Avenue. The service led to the arrest of 36 year old El Cerrito resident, Thomas Allen and 24 year old Richmond resident, Rafael Cajias for possession of controlled substances for sales and possession of stolen property. Allen and Cajias were booked and then sent to the county jail.

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

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On Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 at 0150 hours officers responded to the 3400 block of Yosemite Ave on report of a disturbance. Officers arrived and after an investigation, determined that the suspect, Michael Cerchione, a 20 year old El Cerrito male had assaulted a female and then fled the area. He was located at the El Cerrito Plaza and arrested for the assault. Cerchione was transported to the county jail.

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

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On Monday, March 13, 2006, at 1030 hours an officer was patrolling the area of Key Boulevard and Humboldt Avenue when he noticed an occupied suspicious vehicle in the area. He conducted an investigation and determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Oakland Police Department. The officer placed the vehicle’s occupant, 31 year old Oakland resident Manuel Gonzalez under arrest for possession of a stolen vehicle. Gonzalez was booked and then sent to the county jail.

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

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On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 1457 hours officers responded to the Bank of America at 10422 San Pablo Avenue regarding a suspect attempting to cash a stolen / forged check. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation, which led to the arrest of 44 year old Richmond resident, Eddie Roberts. Roberts was booked and then sent to the county jail.

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

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On March 15th, 2006 School Resource Officer Albrandt arrested a 16 year old Hispanic Richmond resident at El Cerrito High School after a week long investigation after numerous students reported becoming ill after eating cookies. The student had been identified by one of the ill students as having provided the cookies. During an interview with the student he admitted to making and selling marijuana laced cookies.

Several of the students were taken to the hospital due to their symptoms. One student had a series of tests done that confirmed the presence of illegal substances in the cookie. The student was booked on charges of sales of marijuana and possession of marijuana on campus.

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

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On Saturday, November 12, 2005, at 1530 hours officers responded to the California Check Cashing store at 10394 San Pablo Avenue regarding a suspect attempting to pass a forged check. The officers conducted an investigation and arrested 39 year old Richmond resident Sharnell Bryant for forgery. Bryant was booked under El Cerrito P.D. case #05-19467 and was sent to the county jail. Bryant failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 0850 hours detectives contacted Bryant in the 1000 block of Carlson Boulevard and placed him under arrest. Bryant was booked on the warrant and sent to the county jail.

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On Tuesday, March 7th, 2006 at 1100 hours the school resource officer was informed by a teacher that one of her students had marijuana on campus. The student was in the office and told the officer that the four small baggies of marijuana had been bought from another student and that he was going to try to sell the baggies for a little extra money. The student that was identified as having sold the marijuana was brought to the office and was found to be in possession of an additional small baggie of marijuana. The two 15 year old students from Richmond face charges of selling and possessing marijuana at school. The case is being forwarded to the juvenile probation department.

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

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On Tuesday, March 7, 2006, at 0531 hours officers responded to the 2300 block of Edith Avenue regarding a disturbance. Officers conducted an investigation and arrested Irving McKnight for assault. McKnight was booked and then sent to the county jail.

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On Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Officers responded to the Doctor’s Hospital campus in San Pablo on report of a 10 month old infant testing positive for amphetamine. The infant had been brought in to the hospital by its 17 year old mother and her boyfriend due to the baby being agitated. The mother was very cooperative during the investigation. Officers went to the home located on Manila Ave in El Cerrito. The home housed four generations of the family. The area of the house where the baby lived was described as clean. The investigation revealed the baby’s 79 year old great grandmother was in need of medical attention as well. The great grandmother was transported to Kaiser hospital in Richmond and admitted. Both Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Service have been notified of this investigation. The 10 month old baby has been admitted to the Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco for further observation and treatment. The source of the suspected Methamphetamine has not been determined and the investigation continues.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton: (510) 215-4423.

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On Tuesday, March 7th, at 0001 hours an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle at Arlington Blvd and Scenic Dr. fro vehicle code violations. The driver of the car had no identification and verbally identified himself. A search of the car for identification led to the discovery of a pipe used to smoke street drugs. The driver was found to have a vial of suspected cocaine in his pocket. The driver was arrested and taken to El Cerrito Police Department. During a booking search he was found to have an additional bag of a white powder that tested positive for methamphetamine. He also had several types of pills in his possession. The driver was ultimately identified by his fingerprints as Robert Anthony Zorzi, a 36 year old San Pablo resident. He also had a no bail warrant for his arrest for felony charges of possession of methamphetamine. He was transported to the county jail.

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

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On Monday, March 6th, 2006 at 1420 hours the school resource officer was informed of a robbery that had occurred during the lunch hour at Colusa Ave near Eureka Ave. Several students had been off campus during lunch when they were approached by a black male student from El Cerrito. The student demanded the victim’s I-pod and forcefully took it from the victim. The suspect was identified by name.

The suspect student, a 14 year old was arrested when he returned to school on Tuesday the 7th. He stated that he had taken the I-pod and sold to get food to eat. Eh was booked on a charge of robbery and having a knife on school campus. He was transported to the Juvenile Hall.

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

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On Saturday, March 4th, 2006 at 1910 hours officers responded to the Chevron gas station at 11319 San Pablo Ave on report of a theft that had just occurred. The suspect was described as a white male, 6’6” tall wearing black clothing with dyed red hair and a plastic bag over his head. The suspect had asked for a pack of cigarettes and then ran out the door with them without paying. The suspect was identified as David Fensin, a 32 year old Mill Valley resident. HE was booked on a charge of burglary and transported to the county jail.

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

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On Friday, March 3rd, 2006 at 1425 hours the school resource officer was notified of a robbery that had taken place after school on Lincoln Ave at Clayton Ave. The victim, a 14 year old Hispanic student of El Cerrito High School described being tackled by two black male students and then threatened with being beat as he was searched. The two suspects ultimately took the victim’s cellular phone and fled on foot. The victim had previously had classes with one o the students and was able to identify his attackers. The two responsible students, a 15 year old from Richmond and a 16 year old from San Pablo were arrested at school on Monday March 6th for robbery. Both were sent to Juvenile Hall on robbery charges.

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

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On Thursday, March 2, 2006, at 1130 hours officers responded to an assault in the 1000 block of Navellier Street. Officers conducted an investigation and then arrested a 12 year old Richmond resident for assault with a deadly weapon. The juvenile was booked and then released to her mother.

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On Thursday, March 2nd, 2006 at 0620 hours officers were sent to the Alta Bates Hospital on report of an assault with both the victim and the suspect present. The investigation revealed that Gabriel Cano a 28 year old El Cerrito man had been involved in an altercation with a female in the 900 block of Leneve Place at 0330 hours. The female sustained minor injuries. Cano was arrested and booked on assault charges and transported to the county jail.

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