Directory of Prior Reports

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On Friday September 30th, 2005 at 0150 hours officers responded to the Denny’s Restaurant on report of an assault with a deadly weapon involving a metal bar with the suspect located inside the restaurant. Officers arrived to find the victim, Eric Jensen, a 46 year old Homeless El Cerrito man lying face down in a pool of blood flowing from several lacerations on his head.

The suspect was arrested inside the restaurant without incident. He was identified as Timothy Allen Morris a 43 year old Homeless Richmond resident.

Witnesses inside the restaurant had seen Morris striking Jensen over the head numerous times with a metal rod about three feet long. A patron and employee confronted Morris and were able to talk him into giving the metal rod up and stop the attack. They led Morris into the restaurant to await the police.

The investigation revealed that the two had been drinking together earlier in the evening. There is no clear motive for the attack.

Jensen was transported to the Doctor’s Hospital, San Pablo where he was treated and released after observation.

Morris was booked on charges of attempted Murder and transported to the county Jail. Charges will be sought through the District Attorney’s office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Wednesday September 28, 2005 officers responded to the Wells Fargo Bank located at 9800 San Pablo Ave. on report of a forgery in progress. Officers contacted Jose Lozano, a 50 year old Berkeley resident as he tried to leave the bank. He was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property and forgery. The check Lozano had tried to cash had been stolen from a Auto burglary in Castro Valley and then altered to put Lozano’s name on it. He was transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 27th, 2005 at 1610 hours officers responded to the Target Store located at 11450 San Pablo Ave on report of a shoplifter in custody. Officers learned that 54 year old Darrell Mooring, an El Cerrito resident confined to a wheel chair due to an amputated leg had concealed items within his wheelchair and left the store without paying for the items. He had paid for a candy bar that he had selected. Mooring was found to have several prior convictions for theft. He was booked and released at the scene due to his medical condition.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Tuesday September 27th, 2005 at 1300 hours Chief of Police Scott Kirkland and Sgt. Michael Regan were entering the El Cerrito Plaza when they observed a well dressed black female approaching an elderly Asian male with a piece of paper. When they made eye contact with the female she abruptly turned and left the elderly man. This matched the profile of a fraud scam known as a Pigeon Drop or Jamaican switch. The female was contacted and determined to be Dorothy Woodard, a 47 year old on parole for previous Pigeon Drop scams. She was found to have the required paraphernalia to conduct the scam, including two letters indicating a large sum of money had been awarded due to her brother dying in the 9-11 terror attacks and another letter recommending she not bring the money back to South Africa for fear that it may be seized by the government.

A typical description of how the scam runs is that an elderly person is contacted and asked for directions to a church or charity that does not exist or that is very far away. The person explains that they have to leave the country very soon (sometimes within hours) and they want to give a large sum of money to a charity. Letters are shown to verify the reason the money was obtained, (Usually due to some large well known event. Expect to see scams mentioning the Recent Hurricanes in Louisiana and Texas soon.) A letter explaining why they should not bring it back to their own country recommending it be donated to a charity will also be shown. They seek the help of the elderly victim in delivering the money. A large wad of bills is shown and the suspect is usually joined by another apparent stranger or two that is actually an accomplice in the crime. The elderly victim is asked to prove that they do not need the money by withdrawing a large sum of money from their bank. The money is then wrapped in a bandana and “prayed over” or blessed. The bundle is then handed back to the elderly victim and the suspect and the accomplices leave. The elderly victim then discovers that their money in the bandana has been switched for newspaper and the large rolls of money are fake as well.

Any person contacted by anyone using a similar story should walk away from these suspects and immediately call the local police. Never get into a stranger’s car or allow anyone else in your own car!

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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UPDATE 9-29-05

On Monday, September 26, 2005 at 1242 hours officers were notified by the school police at El Cerrito High School of a reported student with a gun. A student had reported that he had seen a gun in the locker room during the morning classes. An investigation determined several possible students that may have had the gun. When the students were contacted one, a 14 year old Richmond male was found to have a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol in his front waistband. The gun was loaded. The juvenile was booked on felony charges for possessing a firearm on a school campus and sent to Juvenile Hall.

On Thursday, September 29th, 2005 at 1240 hours officers received information from the El Cerrito High School that a student had come forward and admitted his involvement in having the gun on school on Monday. He stated that he had found the gun on campus and given the gun to the student that was arrested rather than turning the gun in. He showed where he claimed to have found the gun on campus. He was booked for possessing a firearm on campus and transported to the Juvenile Hall.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 25, 2005 at 1030 hours officers responded to the 7500 block of Terrace Dr. on report of a battery. Officers learned that the suspect had struck the victim in the face and then pointed a loaded gun at the victim and threatened to kill the victim. The suspect had fled the scene in a car and was spotted as it entered the freeway at I-80 and Potrero Ave. The car was followed to I-80 and University Ave. and a high risk vehicle stop was conducted and Perry Lee Brown II, a 49 year old El Cerrito resident was arrested. Brown was booked on felony charges of assault, terrorist threats and a misdemeanor charge of brandishing a firearm. He was transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 24th, 2005 at 2140 hours an officer observed a Toyota Camry driving without its headlights on at San Pablo Ave. and Hill St. The car had turned into the parking lot of the Bart Station when the officer attempted to stop in for the violation. The car began to flee from the officer. At this time the officer learned the car had been reported stolen to the BART police on the previous day. The driver drove onto the sidewalk causing a shower of sparks. The car stopped and the two occupants of the car fled on foot. The driver, a 17 year old black Richmond male ran across San Pablo Ave and tried to hide in a patch of bushes at the rear of the Walgreen’s Store. He was taken into custody in the bushes. The juvenile was also determined to have driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.07%. When the juvenile had fled the car it caused a minor collision with the pursuing patrol car. The juvenile was booked into juvenile hall on charges of driving a stolen car, evading a police officer recklessly, hit and run, driving without a license, minor driving DUI, and resisting arrest.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 24th, 2005 at 1355 hours officers responded to the Target store located at 11450 San Pablo Ave on report of a Shoplifter in custody. Cecilia Yvette Daniels a 37 year old Richmond resident was stopped by loss prevention personnel after she concealed clothing and other items on her person totaling $56 and left the store without paying. Daniels was booked on the felony charge of heft with priors after she was found to have numerous prior convictions for theft. She was transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Saturday September 24th, 2005 at 1206 hours officers responded to the Mechanics Bank located at 9996 San Pablo Ave on report of a subject in the bank that appeared to be the suspect from an attempted Bank robbery in Richmond on the previous day. Three juveniles were detained. The 17 year old Vallejo teen inside the bank was identified as the responsible in the Richmond Robbery and the juveniles were turned over to the Richmond police department for further investigation. Additional robberies in Richmond, Hercules and Vallejo were cleared during the investigation.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sgt. Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 24th, 2005 at 0750 hours officers responded to the 1000 block of Liberty St on report of a naked male having sex with a female in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The officers located a car in which a male could be seen engaged in sexual activity with what turned out to be a blow up sex doll. The male was identified as Enderassie Beneberu, a 21 year old El Cerrito black male. He had numerous photographs of couples engaged in various sex acts spread out to view as he had interacted with the doll. Beneberu was arrested for indecent exposure. A pipe used to smoke methamphetamine was also located in the car. He was booked and transported to the county jail on misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Friday, September 23, 2005 at 0040 hours officers responded to the Safeway store located at 10636 San Pablo Ave. on report of a man that had just stolen liquor from the store. Officers detained Michael Maurice Scott, a 42 year old Richmond resident at San Pablo Ave and Schmidt Ln. He was subsequently arrested for the theft of two bottles of alcohol after being identified by the store employees at the thief. Scott was booked on charges of theft with priors when he was found to have numerous felony convictions for various types of theft. The was transported the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Thursday, September 22nd, 2005 at 2230 hours officers responded to the apartments located at 10944 San Pablo Ave on report of a battery. Upon their arrival the officers detained Thomas Maradiaga, a 38 year old El Cerrito resident. The investigation revealed that Maradiaga had struck another resident of the apartment complex causing minor injury. Maradiaga was transported to the county jail. Charges will be sought through the District Attorney’s office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Thursday, September 22, 2005 Officers responded to the Target Store located at 11450 San Pablo Ave on report of a shoplifter in custody. The loss prevention staff at Target had arrested Vernell Evans Wilkins a 46 year old Piedmont man for stealing a leather coat and a set of linens totaling $290. Wilkins was booked for theft with priors when it was determined that he had been previously convicted of many thefts. He was also found to have a small amount of rock cocaine on his person. He was transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 22, 2005 at 1610 hours officers responded on report of a vehicle burglary in progress in the 1400 block of Lawrence St. Officers stopped a Female matching the description of the suspect at Cutting Blvd and Junction Ave. Dedria Laverne Cook, a 41 year old El Cerrito resident was found to be in possession of mail, including bank statements and checks belonging to other El Cerrito residents. A check that had been put in the mail earlier in the day to pay bills was found in her pocket. Cook was booked on charge of possession of stolen property and transported to county jail. This case will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office for disposition of the case.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Monday, September 19th, 2005 at 0940 hours the Chief of Police, Scott Kirkland observed three juveniles in two Toyota Camrys parked on Noble Court. The juveniles appeared to be tampering with one of the two cars. The two cars abruptly left and were followed to the Portola Middle School campus where the occupants of the two cars stopped the cars and fled on foot into the campus. Chief Kirkland was able to detain two fo the juveniles, a fourteen and a fifteen year old, both Richmond residents. One car had been reported stolen earlier in the day in Richmond. The other was an unreported stolen car from a staff member at Portola Middle School. Both Juveniles were released to their parents.

The Chief was able to identify the third juvenile, the driver of the car that had eluded capture. Detectives arrested the 15 year old suspect at his residence on Wednesday, 9-21-05. He was transported to the Juvenile Hall in Martinez.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 18, 2005 Officer Doty reported the Citizens arrest of Aaron Lauriston Cleveland (54) of Richmond for theft related charges at Target 11450 San Pablo Ave. Cleveland was arrested after it was determined that he had exited the business with store property concealed on his person that had not been paid for. During the investigation it was also determined that Cleveland was on Parole and had numerous prior theft related arrests and convictions. He was booked for felony theft and transported to the County Jail in Martinez.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 17th, 2005 at 2355 hours an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle at San Pablo Ave and Cutting Blvd. The driver, Elmer Eladio Flores, a 39 year old Petaluma man was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. During a search of his person and his car a small amount of rock cocaine and a pipe to smoke the rocks was located. Flores was booked on possession of a controlled substance, and DUI. He was transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 16, 2005 Officer responded to the 1700 block of Lexington Ave. on the report of an interrupted residential burglary. Responding officers located two suspects fleeing the area on foot and detained two juvenile suspects who were identified by witnesses in the area. Officers investigating the burglary determined that the suspects had smashed out one window into a detached building and were in the process of prying open a window screen into the residence when the crime was observed by a witness. The two suspects were arrested for residential burglary and booked at the El Cerrito Police Department.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 15, 2005 Officer Hoffman conducted a traffic enforcement stop for vehicle code violations in the area of San Pablo Ave. @ Manila. During the investigation Officer Hoffman discovered that the driver of the vehicle was in possession of heroin. Officer Hoffman arrested William Jon Parker (36) of San Rafael for possession of a controlled substance. Parked was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On Wednesday, Sept 14th, 2005 at 0030 hours an officer stopped a 1995 Honda Accord at San Pablo Ave and Eastshore Blvd. The car had been reported stolen to the BART police on September 12th. The driver, John Lee Williams, a 40 year old Richmond resident was arrested for the stolen vehicle. His passenger, Renee Stafford, AKA: Renee Bean, a 41 year old Richmond resident was arrested when an outstanding $100,000 arrest warrant for forgery held by the San Pablo Police was located. She was found to have items of personal information for numerous victims and several credit cards not belonging to her. She was booked on charges of forgery, credit card theft, and a parole hold.

Both Williams and Stafford were transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 13, 2005 Officer Alvarez reported the citizens arrest of Brian Michael Michelotti (30) of Berkeley for theft related charges at Marshall’s 10794 San Pablo Ave. Michelotti was arrested after it was determined that he had exited the business with store property concealed on his person that had not been paid for. During the investigation it was also determined that he had prior theft related arrests and convictions. He was booked for felony theft and transported to the County Jail in Martinez.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Shawn Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 12, 2005 El Cerrito Police Officers were conducting an investigation into a possible arson fire in the 10900 block of San Pablo Ave. During the investigation officer detained and questioned two subjects leaving the area of the fire. Officers arrested Toshia Christina Harrison (26) of San Leandro after it was discovered that she was in possession of Methamphetamine. Officers also arrested Daniel Gabriel Henderson (22) of Berkeley after discovering that he was in possession of credit cards belonging to another person. Harrison and Henderson were both booked at the El Cerrito Police Department for the related charges.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 0000 hours officers of the El Cerrito Police Department responded to the 7400 block of Moeser Lane (near Galvin Drive) on report of shots fired. Upon their arrival they found a vehicle that had collided with a parked car. The driver was found in the driver’s seat deceased. A passenger that had been in the car sustained minor injuries due to the collision of the car.

The deceased, Reggi, Remo Mario a 20 year old Albany resident was pronounced dead at the scene. Death appeared to be caused by gunshot wounds. The investigation shows that Reggi was shot a block and a half to the East, at Moeser Lane and Sea View Drive, where multiple assailants had approached his vehicle on foot. At least one of the assailants was armed with a handgun. After Reggi had been shot, the vehicle rolled downhill, collided with a parked car, coming to rest in the driveway of a residence in the 7400 block of Moeser Lane.

Anyone having any information regarding this crime is asked to contact Sgt. Shawn Maples at (510) 215-4423.

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On September 10th, 2005 at 0509 hours an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle at the On ramp of I-80 at Cutting Blvd. The driver, 25 year old Richmond resident Keshaun Reuben Fielder was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. During a search of his vehicle the officer found a loaded .22 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat. The pistol was determined to have been stolen in 2000 during a residential burglary in the Richmond hills. Fielder claimed to have found the pistol near Fallon Ave in Richmond on the previous day.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 9th, 2005 at 1825 hours officers responded to the Safeway Store located at 10636 San Pablo Ave on report of a shoplifter in custody. Officers took David Scott Smith, a 20 year old San Pablo resident into custody and transported him to El Cerrito PD for booking. Smith had tried to steal $42 worth of alcohol by placing it in his pants and walking out of the store. He was determined to have several prior convictions for theft. Smith was booked on a charge of theft with priors. Smith was transported to Martinez after booking. The District Attorney’s office will review the case for prosecution.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Thursday, September 8th, 2005 an officer observed a vehicle driving the wrong direction on a one-way street. During the traffic stop the driver, Samantha Caldwell, a 25 year old white female from El Sobrante was found to be driving without a license. She was also found to be the subject of a $20,000 arrest warrant out of Lake County for Possession of Stolen Property and a $10,000 warrant out of Solano County for driving on a suspended license. The car had been reported stolen in San Mateo County on August 26th. A search of the car revealed a loaded Tec-9 Pistol; considered an assault weapon.

Caldwell was arrested and sent to the county jail. Her 15 month old child was turned over to the Child Protective Service when no other family members could be located to care for the child.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On Wednesday, September 7th, 2005 at 1710 hours officers responded to Safeway, located at 10636 San Pablo Ave on report of a shoplifter in custody. The officers learned during their investigation that Dedan Bryant, a 36 year old Parolee from Stockton had selected over $150 in merchandise and placed it in his empty backpack. He had then left the store without paying for the items. Bryant was arrested for burglary and a parole hold was obtained from the Department of Corrections. Bryant was transported to the county jail.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at 2015 hours two juveniles, both seventeen years old from Pinole and San Pablo entered the Guitar Center located at 10300 San Pablo Ave. They wanted to sell a guitar. The clerk at the store realized the guitar had been purchased at the store and called the owner of the guitar. He learned that the guitar owners home had been burglarized earlier in the day and he was waiting to make the report with the Richmond Police Department. The clerk called the El Cerrito Police. Officers arrested the two juveniles on possession of stolen property. They were also found to have jewelry from the burglary. Both juveniles were released to their parents. The case will be forwarded to the juvenile probation department for disposition.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Donald Horgan: (510) 215-4418.

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On September 4, 2005 Sergeant Bonini observed a subject riding a motorcycle that had been reported stolen to the Berkeley Police Department on 08/30/2005. Officers conducted a stop on the motorcycle in the area of Central Ave @ I-80 arrested Kirk Irwin Kobler (45) of Berkeley for possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Kobler was booked into the county jail in Martinez charged with motor vehicle theft.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 3, 2005 Officer Leone was assigned to work a DUI Check Point as part of a multi agency enforcement action in the City of San Pablo. During the check point officer Leone contacted the driver of a vehicle and determined that the subject was in possession of a counterfeit driver’s license. Officer Leone arrested Cristobal Mata (21) of San Pablo for providing false information to a police officer and for being in possession of a counterfeit driver’s license. Mata was booked into the county jail in Martinez for the above stated charges.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Maples: (510) 215-4423.

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On September 1, 2005 Officers responded to the 5600 block of Jordan Ave. on the report of an assault. Officers arrested Darnell Julian Conley after it was determined that he assaulted an elderly victim causing a minor injury. Conley was booked into the County jail in Martinez charged with felony assault (Elder Abuse).

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Maples: (510) 215-4423.