A thief or thieves broke into a 2016 Dodge Ram van on November 3. At approximately 8:20 a.m., the van’s rear left window was broken as it was parked on Ricardo Avenue. Construction tools worth $1,950 were stolen. The damage to the window was estimated at $800. Piedmont Police Department Captain Chris Monahan said that there is no known suspect at this time.
A 2008 white Ford Eco E150 was stolen from a residence on Crocker Avenue the same morning. The van was stolen between 5:15-5:25 a.m. The Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system captured the van leaving Piedmont southbound on Crocker at Ashmount avenues at 5:26. There is no suspect information.
A single-car accident occurred on October 31 at about 12:40 a.m. A tan Ford F350 towing a large trailer collided with a residential parking sign at the intersection of Jerome and El Cerrito avenues. The driver was reported as no longer in the area. Piedmont’s Department of Public Works has been notified to replace the sign.
A bank on Highland Avenue reported an ATM vandalized on October 30. The trim cover on the ATM had been replaced with another trim cover. No skimming equipment was installed, according to the report. The repair will cost about $400.
A report of a sign being vandalized came in on October 30 on Pacific Avenue. The resident reported that someone had placed an American flag sticker in the middle of his homemade innocent victims poster. The reporting person asked the vandal to be prosecuted if caught.
Also on October 30, an Australian Shepherd set off a home alarm on St. James Drive.
A pair of Razor scooters were taken from a residence on Wildwood Avenue on October 29. The crime took place between 3:30-3:45 p.m.
According to Captain Monahan, the suspect “bypassed” the doorbell camera and was able to snatch the two scooters from the porch area. The suspect possibly fled west on Wildwood.
There are no suspect leads or surveillance camera footage.
On October 30, a suspicious vehicle was reported on Jerome and Fairview avenues at Oakland Avenue at about 6:15 a.m. Officers found a man sleeping in the driver’s seat. After a records search, Anthony Smith (transient, born 1989) was found to have a warrant and was transported to Santa Rita jail in Dublin.
Musical disturbances: On October 23, a disturbance was reported around 5 p.m. from a residence on Carmel Avenue. A live band practice is often held between 4-6 p.m. Officers spoke to neighbors and found some enjoy the music, which comes from a school band.
“It’s a disturbance issue,” Captain Monahan said. “If someone is disturbed and wants prosecution, they can ask for us to seek prosecution, but normally it’s a ‘turn it down’ kinda thing.”
On October 30, another report came in at 4 p.m. for the same area. It turned out the kids were performing a concert for a group of parents.
A garden hose was used without permission on October 26. The incident happened on Cambrian Avenue around 1:40 p.m. The reporting person saw someone get out of a blue Honda Civic and use their garden hose. The hose user was gone when the police arrived.
A car was found on a jack on October 28 on Arroyo Avenue. The report came in just before noon.
“The car was on a jack that did not belong to the owner,” Captain Monahan said. “Nothing was stolen, but it looks like someone had that idea.”
Football and other follies: Finally, on November 5, a pair of kids were reported for throwing a football back and forth across Highland. They were also reported to be pretending to hold a rope across the street causing motorists to stop. They were dispersed.