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 October 25 to October 31, 2026.     
 
October 25th
Shoplift – 1000 El Cerrito Plaza (Lucky):
At 6:34 AM, officers responded to the business for a suspect concealing merchandise into their pants. While enroute, dispatch informed officers that the suspect left the store without paying for the merchandise. An officer located the suspect a short distance away. The suspect was positively identified as being responsible and was placed under citizen’s arrest. The suspect was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and then transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Shoplift – 1000 El Cerrito Plaza (Lucky):
At 8:24 AM, an officer reports a suspect entered the business and stole a large quantity of ice cream and fled the scene.

Driving Under the Influence – Santa Clara Ave / Central Ave:
At 7:42 PM, an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the driver for Driving Under the Influence. The driver was transported to the El Cerrito Police Department for booking. After booking, the driver was issued a citation and released to a sober relative.

Public Intoxication – 10700 block of San Pablo Ave:
At 10:51 PM, officers responded to the area for a disturbance. Upon officers’ arrival they located an intoxicated subject who was combative to his friends and officers. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the El Cerrito Police Department. During the transport the subject vomited on himself, and an ambulance was summoned to provide the subject with medical assistance. The subject was issued a citation and was transported to a hospital by ambulance.  
 
October 26th
Criminal Threats – 6400 block of Schmidt Lane:
At 1:52 AM, an officer reports the victim was threatened by a relative. The officer contacted the suspect and obtained their statement. The case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Theft – 1700 block of Arlington Blvd:
At 8:55 AM, an officer reports a suspect stole the victim’s catalytic converter from their vehicle.

False Fire Alarm / Vandalism – 10200 block of San Pablo Ave:
At 6:51 PM, officers responded to the location for a subject that had falsely activated the fire alarm system and damaged the alarm system. The manager on duty pointed the subject out to officers and requested a Citizen’s Arrest. Officers contacted the subject and took them into custody. After the subject was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department they were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – El Cerrito Plaza:
At 7:17 PM, officers were dispatched to the area for a subject smoking narcotics. Upon arrival officers located the subject passed out in his wheelchair with a glass pipe and container in his lap. While speaking to officers the subject attempted to dump out the contents of the container. Officers retrieved the contents and believed it to be suspected narcotics. Officers conducted a records check and discovered the subject had an active warrant for theft. The subject was issued a citation and released at the scene. 

October 27th
Vehicle Theft – 7400 block of Terrace Drive:
At 8:03 AM, an officer reports theft of a vehicle between 6:30 PM on 10/26 and 7:30 AM on 10/27.

Vandalism – 3200 block of Santa Clara Avenue:
At 5:54 PM, the victim reported an unknown suspect threw a rock at their vehicle causing damage.

Organized Retail Theft – 11450 San Pablo Ave (Safeway):
At 8:36 PM, two suspects entered the business and stole items.  Both suspects fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Residential Burglary / Conspiracy / Petty Theft with Priors / Possession of Stolen Property / Burglary Tools / Felon in Possession of Ammunition / Felon in Possession of Stun Gun / Drug Paraphernalia – 6800 block of Cutting Blvd.
At 10:00 PM, officers responded to an address where two suspects were seen entering the property.  Officers located forced entry to the residence and found two suspects inside. Both suspects were arrested and transported to Martinez Detention Facility.

October 28th
Petty Theft – 10560 San Pablo Ave:
At 11:11 AM, an officer took a report regarding theft of property.  The theft occurred approximately 9:00 PM on 10/26.

Shoplift / Theft with Priors – 6000 El Cerrito Plaza (Marshall’s):
At 1:48 PM, an officer accepted the citizen’s arrest of a suspect after they stole merchandise.  Store staff recovered all property and the suspect fled on foot.  An officer located the suspect and they were positively identified during an in-field.  The suspect had three prior theft convictions, qualifying their arrest for 666.1 PC. The suspect was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department, then transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Identity Theft – 7800 block of Eureka Ave:
At 1:46 PM, an officer reports an unidentified suspect opened a utility account in the victim’s name.

Tampering with Vehicle – 2000 block of Key Blvd:
At 3:42 AM, officers responded to a subject tampering with the victim’s vehicle. The subject fled prior to police arrival and was not located.
 
October 29th
Vehicle Theft – 900 block of Lexington Ave:
At 6:25 AM, an officer reports theft of a vehicle between 9:00 PM on 10/28 and 5:00 AM on 10/29.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle – 500 block of Norvell Street:
At 9:04 AM, a Community Service Officer located a vehicle that was previously reported stolen. 

Shoplift – 6000 El Cerrito Plaza (Marshall’s):
At 1:25 PM, an officer reports an unidentified suspect stole merchandise.

Shoplifting – 1000 El Cerrito Plaza (Lucky).
At 9:03 PM, the suspect entered the business and stole several items and fled the store without paying. The suspect was not located.

October 30th
Shoplifting – 7022 Stockton Ave (7-Eleven):
At 2:49 PM, an officer reports that a suspect stole merchandise from the business and fled the store.

Residential Burglary – 7300 block of Pebble Beach Way:
At 4:00 PM, an officer reports a suspect shattered a rear sliding patio door to enter the residence. The victim was home at the time of the burglary. The suspect fled after realizing the victim was home.

Theft – 200 block of San Carlos Ave:
At 5:22 PM, an officer reports a suspect stole the victim’s package from their front porch.

Battery / Criminal Threats – 9889 San Pablo Ave (FedEx):
At 5:33 PM, an officer reports the victim was struck by the suspect who was complaining about the service they were receiving. The suspect then made threats towards the victim before fleeing the scene.

Residential Burglary – 1200 block of Cabrillo Street:
At 6:16 PM, an officer reports that the victim’s residence was burglarized between the hours of 7:30 AM and 6:10 PM.

Trespassing / Indecent Exposure - 11344 San Pablo Ave (Dennys):
At 8:11 PM, an officer reports that a subject was inside of Denny’s inappropriately touching themself and refusing to leave. The subject was taken into custody and transported directly to the Martinez Detention Facility. The subject was rejected from custody and transported to the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.

October 31st
Driving Under the Influence – Central Ave / Carlson Blvd:
At 1:34 AM, an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop and arrested the driver for Driving Under the Influence. The driver was transported to the El Cerrito Police Department for booking and later released on citation to a sober family member.
Arson – 11344 San Pablo Ave (Denny’s):
At 2:37 AM, an officer was patrolling in the area and noticed a subject had started a fire near the building of the business. The subject was placed under arrest for Arson and transported to the El Cerrito Police Department for booking. After booking, the subject was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.  

Public Intoxication / Obstruct a Peace Officer – 800 block of Kearney Street:
At 1:49 PM, an officer responded to the area for a suspect standing in a neighbor’s patio. Officers contacted the suspect who was intoxicated and did not have any lawful reason for being on the property. The suspect also obstructed the officer’s investigation. The suspect was arrested, booked at the El Cerrito Police Department, and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Financial Elder Abuse – 2500 block of Mira Vista Drive:
At 4:56 PM, an officer reports that the elderly victim transferred money to two suspects via wire transfers between August and September of this year.

Driving Under the Influence – 2000 block of Key Blvd:
At 6:10 PM, an officer reports that the suspect’s vehicle was stopped in the northbound lane of Key Blvd and the driver was located in the driver’s seat unconscious. It was later determined the driver was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and placed under arrest. The driver was transported to Kaiser for further medical treatment and released on citation.