A man was found in possession of a firearm after being stopped by Piedmont police for traffic violations. It turned out he was out on his own recognizance for a firearms charge.
The incident began on April 2 at 2:49 p.m. The suspect was driving a 2006 Buick Lucerne and a Piedmont police officer reported multiple California Vehicle Code violations, according to Piedmont Police Capt. Chris Monahan.
The suspect was identified as Michael Silva and a records check found him out on his own recognizance in Alameda County for a firearms charge, according to Monahan. A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded Smith & Wesson MP9 firearm, according to Monahan.
Monahan said, “Under a mirandized statement, SILVA took ownership of the firearm.”
Silva was taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and booked for possession of a firearm, violating the terms of his release, and driving on a suspended license.
On April 4 at 3:06 a.m., three unidentified suspects burglarized the Ace Hardware store on Grand Avenue. Suspects allegedly used a tow truck to ram the building, breaking the windows and allowing entry, according to Monahan. He said the suspects took approximately $1,000 worth of merchandise and caused approximately $20,000 worth of damage. Police arrived on the scene and the suspects fled.
Also on April 4, a 2014 Infiniti QX-70 was taken on Pala Avenue around 4:33 a.m. A male suspect shattered the sunroof, disabled the alarm, and took the vehicle, according to Monahan. A grey 2016 BMW 328i is associated with the theft, according to Monahan. The value of the vehicle is estimated at $30,000.
On April 2, the city’s Automated License Plate Reader system reported a hit on a stolen license entering the city on Park Avenue around 6:25 a.m. The plate was on a silver Audi. A Piedmont police officer found the vehicle on Sandringham Road. Two suspects wearing face masks were inside a blue BMW 530i when the officer arrived, according to Monahan. The two suspects exited the vehicle and the officer activated their lights and siren. The vehicle fled the scene.
The registered owner of the BMW was notified. There is no reported damage or loss at this time. Video surveillance footage has been collected, according to Monahan.
On April 1, a stolen vehicle was recovered on Oakland Avenue. A Piedmont Police officer observed a Hyundai Accent parked with no license plate and a suspect inside, according to Monahan. He said the vehicle had a broken passenger side window. As the officer approached the vehicle, the person inside exited. A check on the vehicle showed it had been reported stolen in Oakland. The suspect was detained. According to Monahan, he was on probation for robbery. The suspect was arrested for possession of the stolen vehicle.