Directory of Prior Press Releases

On Monday April 30, 2007 Officer Sagan arrested Susan Marie Ascatigno, a 43 year old female resident of Richmond, after she provided a false name and was found in possession of methamphetamine packaged for sales during a traffic stop. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 30, 2007 at about 1535 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Bank of America and arrested Damion Henry Hardiman, a 23 year old male resident of Oakland, for attempting to negotiate a counterfeit/forged check. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Saturday April 28, 2007 at about 1801 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Starbucks and arrested Willie Lee Dudley, a 43 year old male resident of Oakland, for stealing an espresso machine from the business. After his arrest Dudley was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Saturday April 28, 2007 at about 1656 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a disturbance in the 1500 block of Kearney Street. After an investigation, Darryl Findal Bolden III, a 28 year old male resident of Oakland, was arrested for assault. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Saturday April 28, 2007 at about 0506 hours Albany PD arrested Vanderick Vickers Jr, a 26 year old male resident of Berkeley, for a warrant and found him in possession of property just stolen during a burglary of a vehicle in the 300 block of Ramona Ave. He was transported to the Alameda County Jail pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Friday April 27, 2007 at about 1345 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Target and arrested a 17 year old male resident of Vallejo for stealing merchandise from the business, while accompanied by an unidentified teenage male. He was released pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Thursday, April 26, 2007 at about 2129 hours El Cerrito Police Officers were dispatched to the Red Onion restaurant regarding a shooting. The restaurant is located at 11900 San Pablo Avenue. The officers arrived and determined that 4 black males had entered the restaurant to conduct a robbery. During the robbery, one employee sustained a cut to his head. A second employee was shot in the upper body. The suspects fled the scene and are still at large. Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The shooting victim, a 40 year old male succumbed to his injuries, dying during surgery. The second victim was treated and released.

In response to this incident the following individual and companies have agreed to provide a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the murder of Red Onion Owner Alfredo Figueroa Ortiz.

Prior to his murder, Alfredo Figueroa Ortiz worked for West Coast Fab, a local precision sheet metal fabrication company. The company will provide $10,000.00 towards the reward fund.

Farmer’s Insurance Agent, Dave Clayton of the Clayton Insurance Agency will provide $5000.00 towards the reward fund.

The Farmer’s Insurance Company has agreed to match Mr. Clayton’s contribution and they will also provide $5000.00 towards the reward fund.

The total amount of the reward currently stands at $20,000.00 dollars. Any questions or inquiries regarding this reward / incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Aaron Leone: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4422.

On Thursday April 26, 2007 at about 1110 hours Officer Wahrlich arrested David James Vanwormer, a 20 year old male resident of Richmond, during a suspicious vehicle investigation in the 1600 block of Everett Street for fraudulent use of a credit card. Officer Wahrlich determined that Vanwormer had entered three El Cerrito businesses earlier in the month, presented and used a stolen credit card to obtain merchandise. Vanwormer was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Wednesday April 25, 2007 at about 1610 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Albertson’s grocery and arrested Gregory Cardell Goodwin, a 49 year old male resident of Oakland, for stealing merchandise from the business. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Tuesday April 24, 2007 at about 2143 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a disturbance in the 2500 block of Mira Vista Drive. After an investigation, Alicia Michelle Lennox, a 31 year old female resident of Fairfield, was arrested for assault. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Tuesday April 24, 2007 at about 1718 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Giovanni’s Market and arrested Terry Andrew Brown, a 47 year old male resident of Richmond, for stealing merchandise from the business. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Tuesday April 24, 2007 at about 1231 hours Sergeant Bonini arrested Christopher Eugene Torres, a 38 year old male resident of Richmond, after he was found driving a vehicle reported stolen to the Richmond Police Department. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 23, 2007 at about 0009 hours El Cerrito Officers responded to the 1100 block of Shevlin Drive on a report of a disturbance. After an investigation, Lote Taufa Finau, a 37 year old male resident of Richmond, was arrested for assault. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Sunday April 22, 2007 at about 1904 hours El Cerrito Officers arrested a 13 year old male resident of Richmond, after he was detained by Target security for entering the store twice during the day to shoplift. He was released to the custody of his guardian pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Sunday April 22, 2007 at about 0938 hours El Cerrito Officers responded to a report of a theft at Starbucks. After an investigation, Cornelius Saulsberry, a 54 year old male resident of Oakland, was arrested for stealing an espresso machine from the business. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Saturday April 21, 2007 at about 1101 hours Corporal Wong arrested Robert Martin Avelar, a 36 year old male resident of Richmond, after he was found in possession of methamphetamine for sales and a firearm. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Friday April 20, 2007 at about 2129 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Atlas Liquors and arrested Josephine S. Farr, a 20 year old female resident of Richmond, after she threw merchandise at store employees during an argument. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Thursday April 19, 2007 at around 1300 hours Detective Tang arrested Michael Warren Page, a 35 year old male resident of Richmond, after he turned himself at the El Cerrito Police Department on a Ramey warrant for his arrest. Page was identified during an investigation as the subject who attempted to negotiate a counterfeit/forged check at Bank of America on Wednesday December 20, 2006. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Thursday April 19, 2007 at about 1730 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Albertson’s and arrested Marjorie Irene Steward, a 42 year old female resident of Richmond, after she used physical force against an employee, assisted by an unidentified 40 year old male accomplice, in an attempt to shoplift. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Thursday April 19, 2007 at about 1220 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to Bank of America and arrested Rachel Leigh Sawczuk, a 25 year old female resident of Richmond, after she attempted to deposit a fraudulent check into a bank account. She was released pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 16, 2007 at about 1240 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1500 block of Liberty Street. After an investigation, Sandra Lynn Albers, a 42 year old female, and Ricky R. Delph, a 53 year old male, both of El Cerrito, were arrested for assault. Albers was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility and Delph was released on a citation, pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 16, 2007 at about 1500 hours El Cerrito Officers responded to a report of a fraud in progress at Bank of America. After an investigation, a 17 year old female resident of Richmond was arrested for attempting to negotiate a forged check. She was released to the custody of her guardian pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Sunday April 15, 2007 at about 0753 hours Officer Thepkaysone arrested Daniel Robert Pederson, a 30 year old male resident of Fairfield, and Vinnie Joe Simons, a 24 year old resident of Pinole, after they were observed in possession of a vehicle reported stolen to the Berkeley Police Department and were pursued by El Cerrito Officers both in the vehicle and on foot as they attempted to avoid capture. Pederson and Simons were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Saturday April 14, 2007 at about 1257 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to the Wells Fargo bank and arrested Deusdet Damacena Silva Jr, a 25 year old male resident of Richmond, after he presented a forged California driver’s license while attempting to cash a check. He was released on a citation pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Friday April 13, 2007 at about 2157 hours Officer Cooper arrested Ernesto Ricardo Alicea, a 32 year old male, Dameon Lamar Potts, a 25 year old male, and Rhonda Denis Casanares, a 48 year old female, all residents of El Cerrito, after they obstructed police while in possession of a handgun reported stolen to San Jose PD. Alicea, Potts and Casanares were all transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Wednesday April 11, 2007 at about 1858 hours El Cerrito Officers arrested Bryant Keith Douglas, a 49 year old resident of Richmond, and James Bennett Piearson, a 45 year old resident of Richmond, after they were detained by store security at Albertson’s for shoplifting. Both Douglas and Piearson were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Tuesday April 10, 2007 at about 1322 hours El Cerrito Officers arrested Charlice Sharlotte Lighten, a 46 year old resident of San Francisco, and Malcolm Joseph Vanderhorst, a 50 year old resident of San Francisco, after they entered Pastime Ace Hardware with Vanderhorst in possession of a gift card Lighten had obtained with a stolen credit card the previous day. Both Lighten and Vanderhorst were transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 9, 2007 at about 2210 hours Officer Del Prado responded to a report of loiterers in an apartment building and arrested Souheib Sebiaa, an 18 year old male resident of Richmond, after he was found in possession of crack cocaine for sales after fleeing from officers on foot. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 9, 2007 at about 0655 hours Officer Abrandt arrested Malcolm Vandyke Tatman III, a 38 year old male resident of American Canyon, after he was found in possession of a vehicle reported stolen to the Richmond Police Department. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday April 9, 2007 at about 0305 hours Officer Cooper arrested Dwanne Dorothy Denis, a 35 year old female resident of Vallejo, after she was found in possession of stolen mail and personal identifying information belonging to several victims, and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Saturday April 7, 2007 at about 1800 hours Officer Thepkaysone arrested Claudia Navarret, a 25 year old female resident of San Francisco, after she was found in possession of heroin during a pedestrian stop. She was released pending case review by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Friday April 6, 2007 at about 1630 hours El Cerrito Police Officers arrested a fourteen year old juvenile male out of Albany after he, and several unidentified accomplices, used a crowbar in an attempt to gain access into a locked storage unit at the El Cerrito Plaza. The juvenile was released to his guardian.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Friday April 6, 2007 at about 1016 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of Everett Street. After an investigation, Kimberly Kay Connor, a 37 year old female resident of El Cerrito, was arrested for making criminal threats. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Wednesday April 4, 2007 at about 1740 hours El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a report of an assault in the 5200 block of Victor Ave. After an investigation, Aisha Macias, 30 year old female resident of El Cerrito, was arrested for assault. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Wednesday April 4, 2007 at about 1508 hours El Cerrito Police Officers arrested Duane Lee Combs, a 43 year old male resident of Berkeley, at the Guitar Center after he attempted to sell the business a $2,000 set of cymbals that had been previously reported stolen to the Berkeley Police Department. During booking Combs was found to have a hypodermic syringe in his possession. He was released pending review of the case by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Tuesday April 3, 2007 at about 2:30 pm El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the 2000 block of Key Blvd. After an investigation it was determined that an assault had occurred, but the suspect had left the scene.

On Sunday May 13, 2007 at about 10:40 am El Cerrito Police Officers arrested Christina Marie Cranshaw, a 38 year old female resident of El Cerrito, on an outstanding Ramey warrant obtained for her arrest for the assault. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility pending the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Sergeant Peter Statton or Detective Corporal Susan Garman: (510) 215-4423 or (510) 215-4418.

On Monday, April 2, 2007 at 2200 hours officers responded to the area of Potrero Ave and Richmond St on report of a robbery that had just occurred. The victim, a 47 year old male had been approached from behind and one of three suspects had turned him and pointed a gun in his face, demanding money. The man began to yell for help and the three suspects fled on foot without taking anything from the man.

Two of the suspects were stopped at Potrero Ave and Eastshore Blvd. where they were identified by the victim. The two were 16 year old juveniles from Richmond. They were arrested and transported to juvenile hall. The third suspect was described as a 17 year old black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

The gun used was located in the bushes nearby the original robbery and was found to be a pellet gun.

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