Strong-Arm Robbery Reported on Creekside Dr. & S. Main St. in Walnut Creek

March 24, 2012 10:56 am

A strong-arm robbery occurred last night around 8:35 pm on the corner of S. Main St. and Creekside Dr, resulting in a stolen purse. From a Walnut Creek Police press release:

Date / Time Occurred: March 23, 2012 at 8:35 pm

Location: Creekside Drive, Walnut Creek
Crime Description / Code: Robbery / 211 PC

Suspect: #1: Hispanic male, approximately 30 year old. Dark colored hair, eyes and goatee. Approximately 5’ 6” tall and weighed 180 lbs. He was wearing a dark colored hooded jacket, and dark shorts.

Suspect #2: Hispanic male, 5’5”, 150 pounds, wearing dark clothing.

On March 23, 2012 at approximately 2035 hours, two women were walking on the sidewalk of Creekside Drive near South Main Street when they were approached by two Hispanic males. Suspect #1 grabbed the purse from the shoulder of one of the women. The woman screamed while she tried to hold on to the purse. The male overpowered her and stole the purse. No weapon was seen. The two suspects entered a vehicle waiting a short distance away. No one was injured during the incident. The vehicle was described as possibly a late model Sedan. If you have any information regarding the robbery, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844.

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Sketch Released of Subject who Approached Walnut Creek Intermediate Student

March 22, 2012 8:00 am

On Monday I noted that Walnut Creek police were searching for a man who approached a Walnut Creek Intermediate student twice while walking home from school. Now, a sketch has been released. Please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 if you have seen this man, or a “faded red, older model compact sedan, blue disabled placard hanging from rear view mirror, unknown license plate.”

Interestingly, if you view the sketch at full size, it’s possible to read some more charcteristics written down by the artist that is not in the police report press release. The additional features are:

“no facial hair”
“some freckles”
“no noticeable tattoos”
“European accent (slight)”

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Police Searching for Subject who Approached Walnut Creek Intermediate Student Multiple Times

March 19, 2012 4:30 pm

From a Walnut Creek police press release:

On 03/14/12, at about 1530 hours, a 13 year old female student from Walnut Creek Intermediate (WCI) got off her school bus near Tice Valley Blvd and Crest Avenue in unincorporated Walnut Creek. After the bus left, a faded red older model sedan pulled up alongside the juvenile. The male driver asked her how far she had to walk and if he could give her a ride. He also asked where she went to school (she told him WCI) and her name. After he asked where she lived, she ran home and the driver sped off. This incident was reported to and investigated by the Contra County Sheriff’s Office (CCCSO# 12-4337). The incident was reported to WCI by the juvenile’s parents and an email was sent out to WCI parents. Also, the bus drivers were given the vehicle and subject description.
On 03/15/2012, just as school let out (about 1505 hrs), the juvenile was walking to Civic Drive from WCI on the pathway. She saw the same subject waiting by the back gate on Civic Drive. He waved at her and she ran back to the school and called her parents. The juvenile said she was positive the male on the trail behind the school was the same male from the bus stop. The juvenile was with a friend at the time. He confirmed there was a male on the trail behind the school that appeared to be waving at the juvenile. This was immediately reported to the Walnut Creek Police Department. Officers responded and searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect or the vehicle.

Walnut Creek Police Detectives, patrol officers and the Sheriff’s Office continue to work together on this case.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925)943-5844.

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Bank Robbery this Morning in Downtown Walnut Creek

February 29, 2012 12:22 pm

From a Walnut Creek police report:

On February 29, 2012 at about 9:30 AM the below suspect entered Bank of the West on California Blvd. and demanded cash from the teller. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of money from the teller and then fled the bank. He was last seen walking northbound on California Boulevard. No weapons were seen. Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the subject. Anyone with information is encouraged to call WCPD at 925-943-5844.

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Walnut Creek Police Suspend Participation in Neighborhood Programs due to Budget Constraints

February 28, 2012 4:33 pm

From the Walnut Creek police:

Due to a recent restructuring of the police department, our participation in the Neighborhood Watch program is going to be suspended until further notice. Our hope is that once the beginning of the fiscal year approaches we’ll have a better idea of staffing levels and can identify programs to be reinstated in the fall. For neighborhood concerns, please contact the on duty watch commander at 943-5844. Once the sector commanders are determined, their information will be listed on the PD’s website;www.walnutcreekpd.com. You will also be able to find police activity via the daily bulletin on our website or through www.spotcrime.com.

Please continue to support each other and the crime prevention efforts of your groups, as well as being the eyes and ears for the police department. Remember to dial 911 for life and death emergencies or in progress crimes, or 935-6400 for all other non-emergency reports to dispatch. Please continue to remove all property from your vehicles and maintain the security features of your homes and businesses.

There is a wealth of information on the internet and at the library in regards to crime prevention programs and Neighborhood Watch. While there may not be a position dedicated to Neighborhood Watch at the Police Department, anybody can answer general questions or give advice. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you just aren’t sure about something.

Thank you for being a part of the program.

Looks like those extra resources going to patrolling downtown have forced cutbacks elsewhere. Does anyone see a connection with this?

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Stolen – Dog Head

February 27, 2012 8:30 am

Back last December, this sign, owned by Clean Dog Healthy Dog, a dog washing and grooming salon, was featured on this blog highlighting the whimsical marketing method that welcomed many drivers entering downtown Walnut Creek from Highway 24.

However, I’m saddened to report that the dog head, which came from a dog costume, was stolen about one month ago. This really bothers me because this is a small, friendly, locally owned business that had a really great idea that many people enjoyed seeing as they drove down Mt. Diablo Blvd. into downtown.

I’m going to feature Clean Dog Healthy Dog in a future post but for now I would like to offer a $25 reward for information leading to the safe return of the dog head. Email me if you have information.

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Los Angeles Crime Group Targets Walnut Creek Nordstrom

February 27, 2012 7:00 am

Walnut Creek Police reported that three people from around Los Angeles purchased mutliple gift cards using fraudulent credit cards at the Walnut Creek Nordstrom, and after searching their vehicle found over $10,000 worth of fraudulently purchased gift cards and credit cards belonging to other people. All three were arrested and are being held on $70,000 bail each.

On February 25, 2012 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Walnut Creek Police Officers responded to Nordstrom, located at 1200 Broadway Plaza for a report of multiple suspects using fraudulent credit cards to purchase gift cards. The suspects had left Nordstrom prior to officer’s arrivals. Officers spotted the three subjects in a van parked in the Nordstrom parking lot and detained them. Nordstrom Loss Prevention Agents responded and identified the three suspects as the persons responsible for the frauds that had just occurred in the store. They also informed the officers that these subjects have been identified in numerous frauds at several Nordstrom’s’ throughout the state. Officers identified the subjects as Xianglong Cao, Jarmar Bethea and Joseph Quinney and they were arrested (see above). Officers searched the subjects and the van and located over $10,000 worth of fraudulently purchased gift cards and credit cards belonging to other people. Officers confirmed the suspects were all from the Los Angeles area and had committed similar crimes in other city’s throughout California. The suspects were planning on heading to Portland, Oregon from Walnut Creek.

Anyone with additional information are asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925)943-5844.

I wonder if Neiman Marcus will encounter the same types of crime that Nordstrom has to deal with. And what about Macy’s, why don’t I ever read reports about similar incidents at Macy’s?

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Walnut Creek Resident Chases Car Thief – 5 Arrested

February 10, 2012 1:29 pm

From a Walnut Creek Police report:

Early this morning, at approximately 0500 hours, a resident woke up to the sound of his vehicle being started. He ran outside and saw a suspect stealing his vehicle (later identified as Mario PENA). PENA fled in the victim’s vehicle. The victim then saw two other suspects run from his neighbor’s driveway (later identified as Heriberto HERNANDEZ and Isaac GOMEZ). He gave chase and one of the suspects dropped a back pack which had been stolen from the neighbor’s vehicle. The victim lost sight of the suspects and called the police department. Officers responded to the area and found HERNANDEZ hiding. HERNANDEZ was arrested without incident. Officers also found GOMEZ’ vehicle parked nearby and impounded it.

Approximately, two hours later a Walnut Creek Police Officer spotted GOMEZ in a different vehicle with several other occupants heading onto Interstate 680. The officer followed the vehicle while waiting for additional Walnut Creek Officers to respond. Officers then performed a high risk stop on Highway 24 near Pleasant Hill Road. Officers arrested GOMEZ, PENA, PEREZ and a female juvenile from the vehicle without incident.

At approximately 1100 hours, Walnut Creek Detectives located and recovered the stolen vehicle unoccupied in Concord.

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Multiple Fights Break Out in Downtown Walnut Creek

January 30, 2012 7:30 am

Looks like bars and clubs are not the only places fights are breaking out in downtown Walnut Creek. Early Sunday morning various fights broke out at the Locust Parking Garage, Cinco de Mayo Mexican restaurant, and Hubcaps of all places, with the crimes being committed including assault with a deadly weapon, battery, fighting in public and resisting arrest. The quote about the Hubcaps incident reminded me of the musical West Side Story for some reason: “Officers arrived and separated two groups challenging each other to fight.”

First it was Lift, Redux and Vice clubs, now it’s Hubcaps?! What’s next Tiffany’s and Va de Vi?

From a Walnut Creek police report:

On 1/29/12 at 1:35 a.m., police officers on foot patrol in the downtown area received a report of a fight on the second floor of the parking garage directly above Lark Creek restaurant. Officers responded and found a semiconscious subject on the ground bleeding from the face. The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance for head injuries. Two subjects in a vehicle were detained by officers as they left the area. The subjects were identified as Mario and Marcos Bustamante. Officers spoke with several witnesses that identified Mario and Marcos as having assaulted the victim. Both subjects were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and transported to Martinez County Jail. It is believed the victim also assaulted the two suspects. Officers are reviewing security camera footage to determine exactly how the fight started.

At 1:54 a.m., as officers were still investigating this incident, a large fight started inside Cinco de Mayo restaurant at 1372 Locust (next to the parking garage). Arriving officers saw 4-5 people actively fighting and 10-15 more people pushing and shoving each other. Some of the subjects were bleeding from the face and the group failed to obey repeated commands to stop fighting. Officers had to use pepper spray to restore order and take several combatants into custody. One subject was transported to the hospital for facial injuries and several others were treated at the scene by paramedics and firefighters. Three people were arrested for fighting in public, assault and drunkenness.

At 2:25 a.m., as officers were completing their investigation at Cinco de Mayo another disturbance between two groups was reported by employees of Hubcaps Diner. Officers arrived and separated two groups challenging each other to fight. Two subjects who refused to leave the area were arrested for drunkenness and disturbing the peace. One of the subjects was also arrested for resisting arrest after he fought with officers.

Between the three incidents nine people were arrested. Three officers sustained minor injuries that did not require medical treatment or were treated at the scene by paramedics.

Walnut Creek PD encourages anyone who has information about these incidents to contact us at (925) 943-5844.

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Crime Report – $950 in Merchandise Stolen Last Saturday at Nordstrom

January 25, 2012 4:07 pm

A couple of weeks ago some shoplifters were caught in the act at the Walnut Creek Nordstrom; last Saturday it happened again, only this time they got away unfortunately. According to the Walnut Creek police report, “2 YOUNG BF’s”, (?) 19 – 24 years old, one wearing red Abercombie sweats and the other wearing a black leather jacket and jeans exited out the back entrance.

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