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.

The following is a summary of criminal activity in El Cerrito from April 14^th to  April 20^th.

April 14^th

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – Terrace Dr. / Hancock Way:
At 7:05 PM, officers recovered a vehicle that had been reported stolen in San Jose on 04/10/2024. The vehicle was released on scene.

Warrant Arrest / Parole Violation / Failure to Register as a Sex Offender / Drug Paraphernalia – 11785 San Pablo Ave. (Launder-land Laundry):
At 9:53 AM, officers responded to a report of a transient subject threatening the owner of the business. During an investigation, officers found the suspect to be in violation of his parole. The suspect also had aa a non-citable warrant and was in possession of a controlled substance. A records check revealed the suspect had failed to register as a convicted sex offender. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Shoplifting - 2000 El Cerrito Plaza (Ross):
At 7:09 PM, an officer reports the suspect concealed items in a bag and left the business without paying.

April 15^th

Vehicle Theft – 3200 block of Carlson Blvd.
At 8:50 AM, the victim reported their vehicle had been stolen.

Petty Theft / Possession of Stolen Property - 6050 El Cerrito Plaza (Barnes and Noble):
At 7:01 PM, an officer was dispatched to a theft of a cellphone. The victim tracked their phone via GPS and located it in the area of the 600 block of Talbot Ave in Albany. The officer reviewed security cameras at the business and obtained a description of the suspect. Officers responded to Talbot Ave. and located the suspect. During a search incident to arrest, the victim’s cellphone along with several other phones were located. An officer recalled another report was made similar to this incident two days prior. Upon further investigation, it was determined a second cellphone in the possession of the suspect was taken from the same business two days prior. The suspect was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

April 16^th

Robbery and Warrant Arrest – 11565 San Pablo Ave. (Walgreen’s):
At 2:43 PM, a suspect attempted to steal items from the store and threatened a security guard with a folding knife.  Officers arrived on scene and arrested the suspect. During the investigation, officers found the suspect to have a warrant for prior theft related charges.  The suspect was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
 
Robbery / Warrant Arrest / Criminal Protective Order Violation – 1000 El Cerrito Plaza (Lucky):
At 9:12 PM, two suspects stole several items from the business.  During the theft, one of the suspects threatened store employees. Officers arrived on scene and arrested the suspects. During the investigation, officers found one of the suspects had several warrants for their arrest. The other suspect had a court order violation.  Both suspects were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

April 17^th

False Bomb Threat – Multiple Schools
At 7:00 AM, several West Contra Costa Schools (including schools in El Cerrito) received an email reporting a bomb being planted on the campus. School staff did not report finding any suspicious devices on their campuses. 

Vandalism – 800 block of Norvell St.
At 5:00 PM, a suspect shattered the front window of the victim’s residence with a rock.  The suspect fled on foot prior to police arrival.
 
Vandalism – Willow St. / Elm St.
At 8:28 PM, a suspect shattered the window of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect fled prior to police arrival.

April 18^th

Possession of Concealed Knife – San Pablo Ave. / Waldo Ave.
At 2:45 PM, a suspect was arrested for being in possession of a concealed knife. The suspect was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released on a citation.

Vandalism – 11861 San Pablo Ave. (Starbucks):
At 1:01 AM, the suspect shattered the window of the business.
 
April 19^th

Vandalism – 1400 block of S. 56^th St.
At 9:52 AM, an officer reports a suspect cut an AT&T telephone line in an apparent unsuccessful attempt to steal copper.  The incident occurred sometime overnight.

Battery – 2000 block of Harper St.
At 11:26 AM, an officer reports the victims / suspects were involved in a mutual combat fight after a disagreement over property.

Petty Theft – 400 block of Everett St.
At 1:26 PM, an officer reports a theft of a package from their porch.   

Shoplift – 6000 El Cerrito Plaza (Marshalls):
At 7:43 PM, an officer reports loss prevention agents detained a suspect for shoplifting. Officers arrived on scene and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released on a citation.

Shoplift / Warrant - 6000 El Cerrito Plaza (Marshalls):
While on scene for the above incident, the officer was advised of another theft in progress. The officer assisted loss prevention agents in detaining the suspect. The suspect was arrested and booked at the El Cerrito Police Department. During the booking process, officers discovered the suspect had an outstanding warrant for their arrest. The suspect was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Possession of a Glass Pipe - Liberty St. / Portola Dr.
At 3:12 AM, officers conducted a suspicious vehicle check and discovered the driver was on probation with a search clause. During the search, officers located a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. The driver was arrested and cited.

April 20^th

Misuse of Pepper Spray – 11900 San Pablo Ave.
At 8:18 hours, an officer reports a suspect pepper sprayed another person after an argument over a parking space.

Robbery - 11555 San Pablo Ave. (DD’s Discount):
At 6:11 PM, an officer reports the suspect concealed merchandise in their bag and threatened to shoot employees when confronted. The suspect then fled the store, prior to police arrival.