Suspect flees in black sports car
A “strong-arm” robbery was reported on Ramona Avenue on the morning of Jan. 21. Piedmont Police reported on its Facebook page that the victim was approached by a suspect at 11:40 a.m. The report said the suspect “forcibly” took the victim’s belonging and then fled. The suspect vehicle is described as a black sports car. Police said they are trying to identify the vehicle and locate the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 510-420-3000.
On Jan. 13, a multi-vehicle accident was reported on Estates Drive at 9:48 a.m. Police then determined that a male driver was potentially under the influence, according to Piedmont Police Captain Chris Monahan. He said the driver declined to do a field sobriety test or a preliminary alcohol screening. He was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. He declined blood and breath test, according to Captain Monahan, so a blood draw warrant was issued. He was later taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin where he was booked.
Photo credit: Mary Ireland
Also on Jan. 13, a hit from an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) reported a stolen license plate near Grand and Wildwood Avenues at 5:10 p.m. Police found a blue Kia Optima with said license plate in the parking lot of the Ace Hardware on Grand. The male driver went into the store but a female passenger in the vehicle moved to the driver’s seat and fled when police approached, according to Captain Monahan. The vehicle then collided with another vehicle in the parking lot on the way away from the scene.
Police detained the original driver in the store. Captain Monahan said the suspect provided a fake verbal identification. He said when police correctly identified the suspect, they found he was on parole and had multiple felony warrants. The suspect was taken to Santa Rita Jail and was booked for possession of the stolen vehicle and the warrants. The vehicle was found abandoned on Winsor Avenue. It had been reported stolen out of Oakland. Captain Monahan said a Ramey warrant (a type of arrest warrant issued by a judge before formal charges are filed) was issued for the female suspect for possession of a stolen vehicle, hit and run, and reckless driving.
A U-haul van reportedly stolen out of San Jose set off an ALPR hit in the area of Moraga and Ramona Avenues on Jan. 14 at 1:21 p.m. The vehicle was described as a 2023 Chevrolet Express. Police found the van and stopped it. The driver was not listed as a suspect in the SVS entry, according to Captain Monahan, and was cited and released. The van was towed.
On Jan. 11, police found a parked and unoccupied 2019 Honda Accord on Kempton Avenue at 6:41 a.m. A VIN check showed it was reported stolen out of Oakland. It was missing both license plates and was towed.
On Jan. 11 at 7:28 a.m., a 2021 Honda Accord was found by police parked and unoccupied near Fairmont Avenue and Stanley Place. A VIN check showed it was reported stolen out of San Francisco. It was also missing both license plates and towed.
On Jan. 13, a black 2014 Acura MDX was found by police parked and unoccupied at 6:28 a.m. A records check found it was reported stolen out of Oakland. It was towed.
On Jan. 14 at 3:30 p.m., a 2015 Honda Civic was found by police parked near Kingston and Monte Cresta Avenues. A records check showed the vehicle was reported stolen out of Oakland. It was towed.