On Aug. 28, the city’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) recorded a hit on a stolen 1987 Jeep Wagoneer. The Jeep was eventually located at 4:50 p.m. in the parking lot of the Safeway at 5100 Broadway in Oakland. Officers observed a white male in his late 30s sleeping in the driver’s seat, according to Piedmont Police Capt. Chris Monahan. He was described as about 200 pounds with a neck tattoo beginning with the number “5.”
Officers activated their lights and sirens and the suspect then drove off in the vehicle. According to Monahan, “the Jeep immediately fled at a high rate of speed with wanton disregard for the safety of pedestrians and property.”
Officers did not pursue the vehicle, but around five minutes later they found it unoccupied on Piedmont Avenue. Officers searched the area but did not find the suspect. Two checks were found in the vehicle, paid to an individual on probation for possession of stolen property in Alameda County, according to Monahan. The individual also was found to have three felony warrants out of Alameda County.
A booking photograph of that person showed a neck tattoo with “510.” Captain Monahan said he had determined the driver of the vehicle was the same person based on that photographic evidence along with the description. An out of custody complaint on the driver was created.
A skunk was found in one of the bowls of the skate park on Red Rock Road on Aug. 31. The report came in at 8:01 p.m. Apparently the animal couldn’t climb up the sides of the bowl. The skunk was fed that night and an animal control officer came the next day to rescue the skunk and release it.
A purple 2019 Dodge Hellcat was stolen from Moraga Avenue overnight. The vehicle was last seen at 8 p.m. on Aug. 30. It was reported stolen at 6:38 a.m. on Aug. 31. Someone broke in by smashing the driver’s side window, according to Monahan.