Piedmont High, Millennium High and Piedmont Middle Schools were all locked down on Nov. 12 after a false text to a national hotline said a male dressed in black with an AR-15 rifle was in front of school property threatening to shoot people in the area, according to Piedmont Police Department Captain Chris Monahan.
“Units were immediately dispatched to the scene and Piedmont High School, Piedmont Middle School, and Millenium High School were all put on lockdown while a systematic search of the locations” was conducted, Captain Monahan said. He later said it was a false alarm. He said the Department would “rather be on the side of caution until we were able to search the school and give an all clear.”
The threat came in at 11:49 a.m. After the lockdown was lifted, the Department posted to its Facebook page, “We have information that several other schools in the Bay Area have received similar types of threats. It appears that this may be a widespread ‘Swatting’ incident. Out of an abundance of caution, we are continuing with our investigation and the clearing of all buildings. At this time, there are no threats to any other Piedmont Schools. We will share additional information as it becomes available.”
Captain Monahan said the threat went to a national hotline over the chat feature and was forwarded to the Department.
KRON reported that Palo Alto and Cupertino high schools also fielded similar calls on Tuesday.
On Nov. 6, a catalytic converter theft was reported at 5:43 a.m. from a Toyota Prius on El Cerrito Avenue. The suspect vehicle was a stolen blue Alfa Romeo Giulia, according to Captain Monahan. Police attempted to stop the suspect vehicle but the vehicle fled. It later crashed into another and a building at 51 st Street and Broadway in Oakland. Three occupants fled and were not found. The stolen catalytic converter was found in the vehicle, according to Captain Monahan.
On Nov. 3, police found a male subject inside a parked blue 2008 Lexus GS350 at Lake Park and Lakeshore avenues around 7:01 a.m., according to Captain Monahan. The officer roused the person inside the legally-parked vehicle. A records check showed the male was on probation for DUI in Alameda County. Captain Monahan said a search of the vehicle produced two glass pipes with “residue” on them. The male was cited and released.
The police log also noted multiple calls regarding drainage work at ACE Hardware on Grand Avenue. The neighbors are complaining about construction vehicles blocking Olive Avenue behind the store. The log stated that ACE Hardware claimed it had permits for the work.
Group linked to catalytic converter thefts; two Toyota Priuses hit on Harvard
Two catalytic converters were taken from two Toyota Priuses on Harvard Road early in the morning of October 26.
The first report came in at 2:59 a.m. and the second at 3:04. A group of four-six suspects in a white sedan were reported responsible. Police responded to the scene but had no further information.
On October 29, items were stolen from an unlocked blue 2022 Tesla Model Y on Sunnyside Avenue. The report came in at 6:32 p.m. Police met with the victim, according to Piedmont Police Captain Chris Monahan. An unknown suspect entered the vehicle and took a wallet and a backpack, according to the victim. The estimated loss was $350.
Captain Monahan said follow up was in progress.
On October 27, police observed a black Toyota Highlander driving on Mandana Boulevard with a flat front driver’s side tire at 2:41 a.m. Police attempted to stop the vehicle but it continued to Warfield Avenue, nearly hitting two parked cars, according to Captain Monahan. He said the vehicle then stopped in the middle of the road.
Police observed the driver had bloodshot eyes slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, according to Captain Monahan. He said the driver took field sobriety tests and performed poorly. The driver was arrested under suspicion of DUI. A search of the suspected turned up a small baggie which later was tested and according to Captain Monahan is cocaine. The driver was taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
Just out of curiosity, what did Palo Alto and Cupertino do with the information regarding the shooter?