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.
 
 
October 4^th
 
Petty Theft – 6500 block of Portola Dr.
An officer reports that an unknown suspect punched a hole in the victim’s gas tank and stole fuel. 

Auto burglary – Parking lot of Nation’s, 6060 Central Ave. 
At 8:50 am, an unknown suspect shattered the window of the victim’s vehicle and stole property. 

Theft by false pretenses – 6500 block of Portola Dr. 
A victim met two separate suspects on a dating app and each led her to believe she could make thousands of dollars trading cryptocurrency.  The victim sent several thousand dollars to each suspect.  When they requested she take a loan for $100,000, she realized she had been scammed. 

Grand theft – Ross, 2000 El Cerrito Plaza
An officer reports that an unknown suspect entered the business, concealed 12 pairs of women’s shoes, and fled without paying. 
 
October 5^th

Unlawful Burning – 11545 San Pablo Ave:
At 5:25 AM, a 34 year old unsheltered man lit his sweatshirt on fire in the parking lot in front of Ross.  He also spelled out the initials of his children with wood chips and lit those on fire while pouring gasoline on the entire works.  He claimed he did all this so his girlfriend would know he still loved her, as she could see him through the security cameras.  Field cited.

Vandalism – 6400 block of Central Ave. 
An officer reports that an unknown suspect broke down a locked gate that led to an apartment complex common area. 

Armed robbery – Marshall’s, 10794 San Pablo Ave. 
An officer reports that an unknown female suspect entered the business and began concealing merchandise.  When she realized store security watching her, she placed a phone call to a male suspect.  The male suspect walked into the store and accompanied the female suspect.  When security attempted to detain the female suspect outside the business, the male suspect flashed a firearm in his waistband.  Both suspects fled in a vehicle. 

Shoplifting – Sketcher’s, 5815 Cutting Blvd. 
An officer reports that an unknown suspect entered the store, concealed a pair of shoes, and fled without paying. 

Grand theft – 7000 block of Cutting Blvd. 
An officer reports that an unknown suspect stole the catalytic converter from the victim’s vehicle. 

Warrant Arrest – 11245 San Pablo Ave:
At 10:52 PM, an officer reports the arrest of a 53 year old unsheltered man on two no cite El Cerrito PD warrants totaling $100,001.  
 
October 6^th

Grand Theft – 500 block of Colusa Ave:
At 4:22 AM on 10/7/2022, a resident noticed three males under her neighbor’s vehicle.  At least two vehicles were located in the block with catalytic converters removed, but both were registered out of the area and the owners were not located.  Fingerprints were collected from similar locations on both vehicles.  Business cards were left and this report should be supplemented if the registered owners call back.