Full Notification

The following is a summary of criminal activity in El Cerrito. It does not include all crimes. It also does not include non-criminal events such as missing persons, traffic collisions, non-criminal deaths, non-criminal disputes, nor many other police activities that do not result in arrest.
 
September 20^th

Attempted Grand Theft – Daiso Parking lot, 7000 El Cerrito Plaza
At 8:15 am, three unknown suspects attempted to steal the catalytic converter from the victim’s vehicle.  The suspects fled upon seeing the victim come outside. 

Driving Under the Influence – San Pablo Ave / Fairmount Ave:
At 7:25 PM, an officer on-viewed a collision involving a vehicle traveling an estimated 70 MPH that sideswiped another vehicle.  The driver, a 22 year old Berkeley man, was determined to be under the influence during the collision investigation.  PAS .123/.133, blood draw, cite release.

Domestic Violence – 11940 San Pablo Ave (New Concept Laundromat):
At 9:13 PM, officers responded to a 9-1-1 disconnect at the laundromat where a woman yelled into the phone, gave the location and hung up.  An officer reports the arrest of a 33-year-old San Pablo man for domestic violence incidents committed against his girlfriend throughout El Cerrito over the past four days. To county jail.

September 21^st

Vehicle Theft – Santa Clara St. / Central Ave.
Sometime between 9/20/22 at 6 pm and 9/21/22 at 7:30 am, an unknown suspect stole the victim’s 2000 Honda CR-V. 

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – El Dorado Ave. / Santa Clara St.
At 9:50 am, a Community Services Officer located a 2005 Chevy Silverado that had been reported stolen to Richmond PD on 9/19/22. 

Warrant Arrest, Resisting Arrest – ECPD, 10900 San Pablo Ave.
At 12:07 pm, a wanted suspect entered the lobby of the PD to collect his belongings.  Officers advised the 42-year-old man that he had a warrant and explained he would be arrested.  The man immediately tensed up and refused to submit to arrest.  After a brief struggle, the man was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
 
Brandishing a deadly weapon, Non-compliant sex offender registration, Resisting Arrest – Joann Fabrics, 300 El Cerrito Plaza
At 1:49 pm, officers responded to the report of a man wielding a machete at several victims.  Officers arrived and located a 59-year-old Richmond man.  Prior to officers’ arrival, the man had put the machete down on the sidewalk, approximately 40 feet away.  The man was agitated and making nonsensical statements.  Officers spent several minutes attempting to deescalate the situation and negotiate the man’s surrender.  Eventually, officers explained to the man that they were going to handcuff him. As officers approached the man, he turned and ran towards his machete.  The man was taken to the ground, where he tucked his arms under his body and refused to submit to arrest.  After a brief struggle, the man was handcuffed.  During a records check, the man was found to be out of compliance with his annual sex offender registration requirements.  The man was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Grand Theft 800 block of Shevlin Dr. 
Sometime between 9/19/22 at 12 pm and 9/21/22 at 12:30 pm, an unknown suspect stole the catalytic converter from the victim’s vehicle.

Shoplift – 2000 El Cerrito Plaza (Ross):
At 8:45 PM, two unidentified and likely unaffiliated suspects entered Ross and stole merchandise worth approximately $700 combined.
 
September 22^nd

Vandalism / Petty Theft / Possess Burglary Tools / Possess Drug Paraphernalia – Barrett Ave / Mira Vista Ave:
At 3:15 AM, officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious person in the 2500 block of Tamalpais Avenue.  The male subject arrived in a white pickup truck and was seen walking up and down the block, bringing items back to the truck.  He drove off down Lagunitas just prior to units arriving, and was located driving northbound on Tassajara Ave near Barrett.  A traffic stop was initiated and it was discovered the suspect had several gas cans with the tops cut off and had been drilling gas tanks and stealing gas.  At least one victim vehicle was discovered on Tamalpais with damage the owner estimated in excess of $1000.  The 45 year old Petaluma man was on probation, and a meth pipe and shaved key were discovered on his person during a search.  The man was booked at ECPD and released per 849PC pending further investigation.

Vandalism – 5200 block of Gordon Ave:
At 9:27 PM, an officer reports the homeowner discovered what they believed to be a bullet hole in their window upon returning from vacation.  Upon further investigation, it was determined the damage was more likely caused by a neighbor throwing something at the window due to a longstanding feud.

Shoplifting – 11545 San Pablo Ave (Ross):
At 9:46 PM, while responding to a report of an unwanted person where the subject had left the store, through further investigation an officer reports an unidentified suspect stole merchandise estimated by store staff to be worth $1200.

Arson – Fairmount Ave / Liberty St:
At 10:53 PM, an unidentified suspect lit a city trash can on fire, destroying the plastic liner and causing heavy damage to the painted metal exterior.  Albany PD had a similar case just a few minutes before, but it is not known if the suspect in our fire was the same person.  Follow up will be conducted to obtain video from nearby businesses.