A strong-arm robbery was reported in Piedmont on Sept. 13 in the parking lot of the Piedmont Community Center on Highland Avenue. The alleged crime happened a little before 7 p.m.
The suspects approached a couple from behind, according to Piedmont Police Capt. Chris Monahan. The female victim had her head pulled into the suspect vehicle, a black Volkswagen Golf. The male victim was punched under his eye. The suspects then took the female victim’s phone and purse and fled in the Golf.
According to a Piedmont Police Department post on Facebook, the suspects are still outstanding and the victim’s phone has since been recovered. The suspects were reported to be wearing face masks at the time of the incident. The victims declined medical treatment.
On the late afternoon of Sept. 11, officers were dispatched to Crocker Avenue for a suspect who had allegedly stolen tools from a location on Oak Road. Officers found a white van backed into a driveway on Crocker. Officers confronted the driver and ordered him to exit the vehicle, according to Monahan. When officers attempted to grab the individual’s hand, he pulled it away and reached for his waistband, according to Monahan.
Officers then attempted to tase the individual. Only one of the probes pierced the skin and the taser was ineffective, according to Monahan. The suspect allegedly threw a glass pipe onto the ground. He was detained and a records check showed he was on probation in Alameda County for possession of a firearm. A check on the 2006 Chevrolet van showed it was an unreported stolen vehicle in Oakland.
The suspect was taken to Summit Hospital and once he was cleared, then to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. The registered owner of the van came to the scene and the vehicle was released to him. The owner of the stolen tools arrived on scene and the tools were returned to him.
On Sept. 10, a suspicious person was reported to be inside a residence on Dudley Avenue. The report came in at 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived, an individual matching the reported description was seen leaving the scene, according to Monahan. The male suspect continued walking until he was detained on Pacific Avenue. He was found to be on probation for burglary. Officers found a glass pipe with white residue and resin in his pocket, according to Monahan.
The suspect was taken to Santa Rita Jail and charged with probation violation, possession of drug paraphernalia and trespassing.
A stolen vehicle was recovered on Sept. 8. The silver 2014 Honda Accord set off the city’s Automated License Plate Reader system at Grand and Wildwood Avenues at 9:42 p.m. Officers found it parked on Valle Vista Avenue in Oakland a few minutes later. The vehicle had been reported stolen in San Leandro. A patrol car was parked in front of the Honda, the suspect still inside, according to Monahan. The suspect at first complied with orders, but then fled the scene on foot. The suspect was not found. The vehicle was not damaged or vandalized and was released.