Greetings,

It’s hard to believe we’re already closing in on the end of June!  I’ve attached a summary of some of the activities and calls for service RPD personnel have been involved in over the past week.  As you can see, we stay busy with a wide variety of things!

Over the upcoming long 4th of July holiday weekend, the Department will be rigorously enforcing laws involving illegal fireworks and celebratory gunfire.  We can’t respond in a timely manner to all the MANY fireworks calls, but we will do our best to address the most egregious and ongoing violations. 

Have a safe and Happy 4th!

Chief Chris Magnus

  
Sunday, June 24, 2012, 10:40 p.m., 1300 block of Lincoln Ave.--At about 10:30 p.m., the victim reported that his 2002 Toyota Corolla was taken without permission from his driveway.  Officer Nguyen located the vehicle in the area of 13th St. and Lincoln Ave.  Officer Nguyen followed the vehicle to 18th St. and Lincoln Ave. where he attempted to conduct an enforcement stop.  The 13 year-old driver failed to yield and continued SB on 18th St. at about 15 mph.  The suspect proceeded to the 700 block of 16th St. where he pulled over and submitted to arrest.  On Saturday night, this individual was listed as a juvenile delinquency suspect on probation.  His mother called the police to report he had removed his ankle monitor.  Two other juvenile suspects in the vehicle were arrested for Vehicle Theft Conspiracy and later released to their parents.  The 13 year-old suspect was taken to Juvenile Hall in Martinez where he was booked.

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 11:40 p.m., 2900 block of Pullman Ave.--Several officers were sent to the Pullman Point Townhouses to investigate a report of a fight.  Security officers assigned to the Pullman Townhouses observed several females fighting in the parking lot between two parked vehicles.  One of the security officers announced their presence before attempting to separate the group.  One of the suspects slapped the security guard in the face.  The guard eventually gained control of the suspect and was in the process of handcuffing her when he was approached by the other suspect. The other suspect told the guard, “You don’t touch women like that,” before pushing the guard to the ground.  With assistance from the RPD officers, both suspects were taken into custody.

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 9:30 p.m., 2300 block of Rheem Ave.--Officer Ricchiuto noticed the 44 year-old suspect riding a bicycle without a light in the 2300 block of Rheem Ave.  The officer noticed he was nervous and attempting to conceal a clear plastic bag in his front jacket pocket.  Officer Ricchiuto removed the bag, which contained a large amount of methamphetamine. The suspect attempted to elude arrest by pushing away from Officer Ricchiuto.  The officer was barely able to maintain control of him as the suspect attempted to get away.  The suspect continued to fight and struggle with Officer Ricchiuto, resulting in an ECD (Taser) deployment.  The suspect was eventually arrested and booked into RPD Jail.

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 2:00 p.m., Nichol Park--RPD officers were dispatched to Nichol Park on the report of a subject complaining of chest pain.  According to the reporting person, the victim approached him and told him he was beaten and robbed.  Both individuals were waiting by the baseball diamond in Nichol Park.  Upon arrival, the officers located a male subject in his 20s, lying  on the ground.  The officers attempted to assist him, but the victim said he would “rather die” before he’d let the police help him.  The victim said he just wanted to see a doctor.  The victim then became combative and had to be restrained.
            The victim’s actions were erratic, and consistent with someone under the influence of narcotics and/or who suffered from mental illness.  The victim refused to answer any questions, however, he did say his name was “Julio”.  The victim was transported to County Hospital by AMR on a self committal.

Saturday, June 23, 2012, Nichol Park--There was a Native American Pow Wow Celebration at the park throughout the day.  Officer Marweg and the Swing Shift Beat 7 officers provided extra patrol throughout the event.  The event was well-attended and there were no problems.

CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS AVAILABLE FREE THROUGH RPD:  The following personnel are certified Child Seat Technicians and are available for child seat inspections:

- Officer Al De Jesus   (510) 621-1212 Ext. 1836
- Sgt. Felix Tan            (510) 621-1518
- Officer Ian Reid        (510) 965-4903

For assistance, please make an appointment.  Each inspection will take about 30-45 minutes to complete.  The officer will check the child restraint for any recalls, explain how to properly install the restraint, and discuss other child seat/safety issues.

Thursday, June 21, 2012, 9:00 a.m., West County Board of Realtors Offices--Chief Magnus, D.C. Brown, Officer Bashan, and Michelle Milam attended the West County Board of Realtors monthly meeting as part of the Chief’s continued public meetings with non-profit groups and businesses in Richmond.  Department personnel presented information to the group on dealing with squatters in vacant and/or foreclosed properties.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 8:10 a.m., 500 block of Pennsylvania Ave.--Officer Ruffin was dispatched to a report of an in-progress burglary at a residence in the 500 block of Pennsylvania Ave.  Officer Ruffin was advised by the victim that a suspect was in the west-side of her backyard attempting to enter her residence through a side window.
While Officer Ruffin and Officer Peixoto prepared to clear the residence, the victim’s daughter ran out of the residence and advised that she had just observed the suspect climbing over their backyard fence traveling WB toward 5th St.  Officer Peixoto and Officer Ruffin located the suspect in the 700 block of 5th St. and took him into custody.  The suspect was positively identified by the daughter during an in-field show-up and subsequently arrested for prowling. The suspect was transported to the RPD for booking.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 1:00 p.m., 1000 block of Brookside Dr.--Officer Bill Roderick responded to American Metals in reference to suspects who were there attempting to sell stolen metal.  This call came directly to Officer Roderick, who had on previous occasions established a rapport with the owners of American Metals and supplied them with his contact information should incidents of this nature occur. 
Officer Roderick arrived and observed the suspect (who was still on the scene) in possession of stolen items from an earlier burglary report taken by Officer Baggett involving an address in the 1700 block of Gaynor Ave.  In that incident, solar panels valued at approximately $4500 had been removed.
The victim in the Gaynor Ave. theft went to American Metals checking for his loss and upon his arrival noticed his property.  He promptly notified management, who in turn called Officer Roderick.  Officer Roderick, now with the assistance of Officer Baggett, placed the suspect in custody and returned the stolen property back to the original victim of the Grand Theft.  Officer Roderick completed the investigation while Officer Baggett booked the suspect under the aforementioned charge.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012:  RPD Personnel Participate in Torch Run to Benefit Special Olympics--Congratulations are in order to RPD’s Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run team.  The team, which consisted of  sworn and non-sworn personnel, as well as their family members, carried the torch along San Pablo Ave. a distance of 5.7 miles.  On Wednesday and Thursday, the torch continued its journey EB along I-80, to the final destination of U.C. Davis--the site of the 2012 Special Olympics  Summer Games.  Runners included:  Officer Miles Bailey, Det. Lacquanna Conway, I.T. Manager Eric Tam, Officer Danielle Evans, Office Assistant Leticia Lopez (and daughter), Cadet Ruben Munguia, Det. Brian Gard, and Sgt. Brian Dickerson (and daughter).


Sunday, June 17, 2012, 10:30 p.m., 100 block of 22nd St.--RPD personnel responded to a ShotSpotter alert of multiple shots fired in the area.  When officers arrived, they learned that a collision had occurred in the intersection of 22nd St. and Bissell Ave.  After the collision, one driver exited his vehicle and began shooting at the other driver.  Officers arrested a 26 year-old male and recovered a .32 caliber semi-auto handgun from his car. The suspect told officers he shot at the other driver because he believed his young son had been injured in the collision.  The suspect was transported to the Richmond City Jail where he was booked.

Sunday, June 17, 2012, 6:00 a.m., 600 block of Harbor Way--Officers responded to a report of a robbery of a customer at the gas station.  When they arrived, they learned that the victim was beaten, then robbed of his cash, by a male with the moniker “G Unit.”  Cover officers checked the surrounding areas and detained a 28 year-old male who matched the description of the suspect.  The suspect told officers his street name was “G Money.”  The suspect was identified by the victim as the person responsible for the robbery.  The suspect was transported to the Richmond City Jail where he was booked.  Officers Nguyen and Andretich authored the preliminary investigation.