At 6:15 a.m. on Aug. 29, suspects stole one vehicle on Hampton Road and were attempting to steal another when police were called to the scene. According to a neighbor, after police blocked off the entrance and exit to the neighborhood loop of Sotelo Avenue and Glen Alpine Road, a chase resulted in vehicles circling in the neighborhood.
Piedmont Police Capt. Chris Monahan said the suspects abandoned one of the stolen vehicles in the neighborhood. A resident on Sotelo Avenue confirmed to the Exedra that one vehicle was abandoned in front of their house. The second stolen vehicle was found on Glen Alpine Road. A witness told police that three male suspects fled into a ravine. Two stolen vehicles were recovered and no arrests have been made, Monahan said.
(Editor’s note: It’s not clear where the stolen vehicles were eventually recovered. Residents in the neighborhood reported on Facebook — and the Exedra confirmed with one resident — that the suspects returned to the scene later that day to retrieve at least one of the stolen vehicles and to pick up one of the suspects who had remained hidden in the area. We will update with more information when available.)
On Aug. 23, one suspect was taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin after a traffic stop on Harrison Street. A 1998 Acura CL was pulled over at 11:15 a.m. for “multiple” California Vehicle Code violations, according to Monahan.
The female passenger was found clear of warrants and was released. The male driver was found to have a warrant in Oakland for burglary. He was searched by police and 8.85 grams of suspected fentanyl was found, as well as two .223 rifle rounds, according to Monahan.
On Aug. 21, the city’s Automated License Plate Reader system reported a hit on a stolen license plate near Grand and Rose avenues. The plate was on a blue Hyundai Elantra and belonged to a black 2020 Dodge Durango, according to the police log.
After a traffic stop, two people were detained. A VIN check on the Elantra showed it was reported stolen in Oakland. The female driver was found clear of warrants. The male passenger was found to be on probation for grand theft. He also had an outstanding warrant in Alameda County for grand theft.
Both were taken to Santa Rita Jail. The driver was charged with possession of the stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, and driving without a license. The passenger was booked on the warrant. The car was returned to the registered owner.
On Aug. 24, an Amazon truck left running by the driver while making a delivery was stolen on Kingston Avenue. The theft was reported at 3:47 p.m. Amazon was able to track the truck in Oakland. The loss is unknown and Monahan said Piedmont police are still looking into it.