For Immediate Release: July 15, 2026
OPD NEWS:
Oakland police officers rescued an Oakland woman after she fell down a wooded hillside while hiking near Leona Heights Park.
The incident occurred just after 2:15 p.m. on July 12, 2026, when the woman slipped on a steep, slick trail covered by dense trees, fell down the hillside, and became stranded in terrain too difficult to navigate on her own.
OPD's Air Support Unit (ARGUS) was deployed to locate her. Pilot Todd Martin and Tactical Flight Officer Prince Tenefrancia spotted her from the air and directed patrol officers on the ground to her exact location. Without that aerial vantage point, finding her in the dense, tree-covered hillside would have been slower and riskier for everyone involved.
On the ground, Officers Mariano Camacho-Perez, Tommy Nguyen, Daniel Salcido Jr., Gabriel Abea, and Rodolfo Castro made their way through steep, slippery, and wooded terrain to reach the victim. Once they made contact, the officers assessed her condition and carefully coordinated her extraction back to the trail.
The successful rescue was the direct result of exceptional teamwork, communication, and professionalism between the Air Support Unit and responding patrol officers. Despite hazardous conditions, responding officers showed strong judgment and determination throughout the rescue, which OPD says reflects the department's broader commitment to public safety.
