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  E-Mail Forum – 2013  
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  RPD Update
May 28, 2013
 
 

Greetings,

As you will see reviewing the following activity I’ve included from the past week, it’s been both a busy and dangerous time for our personnel.  A common theme could be “Guns, Gangs, and Getting Caught.”  I continue to be very concerned about the young age of many gang members we are dealing with and the firepower they possess.  Our officers and detectives—with considerable help from neighborhood residents—have been working hard to cool down the streets after a particularly violent eight weeks.  We are also grateful for the work of our many partner groups in achieving this common goal, including the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Men & Women of Purpose, Men & Women of Valor, the RYSE Center, RPAL, as well as others.
            Our highest priority is violence reduction, but as you can see we are also working on a wide range of other activities, including a strong focus on addressing property crimes.  I am impressed with the collaboration between the many units within our agency that develop good intel, share information and resources, and work together effectively to meet public safety needs.  If you have any questions or would like more information about anything we are doing, please let me know.

Chief Chris Magnus

 

Sunday, May 26, 2013, 1:05 a.m., 1800 block of Burbeck Ave.--A resident called and advised he saw someone steal his neighbor’s minivan.  Dispatch made contact with the registered owner and confirmed the vehicle was stolen.  As Officer Peixoto arrived on scene to take the report, Officer Hodges located the vehicle traveling WB on Downer from 23rd St.  As Officer Hodges attempted to catch up to the vehicle, it collided into a parked car and the occupants fled on foot.  A perimeter was set up and an extensive K-9 search was conducted.  The 19 year-old suspect was located hiding in the rear yard of an address in the 1800 block of Burbeck Ave. by K-9 Ronin and taken into custody with K-9 contact.  The suspect was transported to the hospital and later booked into the Contra Costa County Jail.  The suspect was also found to have a no-bail warrant for stealing another vehicle. 

Sunday, May 26, 2013, 4:30 a.m., 200 block of Chanslor Ave.--A family member who lived in the 200 block of Chanslor Ave. saw her 19 year-old nephew and his 18 year-old friend attempting to break into her father’s residence in this block.  She was able to temporarily scare them off, but they returned and stole items from the residence as well as a 1985 Chevy pickup truck.  Approximately 15 minutes later, Officer Vallerga located the truck in the 600 block of 2nd St. after a Reckless Driving detail at 2nd St. and Ripley Ave.  Officer Vallerga saw one of the suspects flee onto Richmond Pkwy on foot.  While recovering the vehicle, Officer Vallerga noticed a person matching the suspect description hastily walk into an address in the 600 block of 2nd St.  Both suspects were detained and positively identified as the suspects in this case by the witness.  They were booked into RPD Jail.  The 19 year-old suspect was found to have numerous felony warrants once he was fingerprinted.  Officer Davis authored the preliminary report.

Saturday, May 25, 2013, 2:40 p.m.—900 block of S. 47th St.--Officer Gault arrived at the this location to assist other officers who were dispatched to a Hit & Run traffic crash. The suspect was last seen running from the scene on S. 47th St.  Officer Gault observed an individual matching the description of the suspect.  He stopped the suspect in front of an address in the 900 block of S. 47th St.  Officer Gault asked the 31 year-old suspect to stop and speak with him.  The suspect said “f*** you” and kept walking.  Officer Gault asked the suspect once again to stop.  The officer then stood in front of the suspect and began speaking with him.  He could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the suspect.  Officer Gault began to search the suspect when the suspect spun around, clenched his fists, and took a fighting stance.  A brief struggle ensued, but the suspect was ultimately placed on ground and handcuffed.
          The suspect was placed in the back of Officer Gault’s patrol car.  The suspect began screaming and kicking at the rear side window of the patrol car.  Officer Pagaling arrived and assisted placing the suspect in a WRAP (a restraint device).  The suspect was transported to the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez for booking.
Saturday, May 25, 2013, 3:40 p.m., 30 block of Harbour Way--Officer K. Nguyen made a traffic stop of a green Nissan on Harbour Way near Chanslor Ave.  The driver was unlicensed.  While talking to the driver, Officer Nguyen could smell a strong order of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  During a search of the vehicle Officer Nguyen located approximately 15.8 grams of marijuana and a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun under the driver’s side front seat.  All three suspects were arrested and booked into the Richmond P.D. Jail.
Friday, May 25, 2013, 11:20 p.m., 22nd and Burbeck Ave.—Special Investigation Section (SIS) Detectives Anderson and Lopez conducted a vehicle stop on a 2003 Infiniti.  The detectives noticed the rear passenger moving around in the rear of the vehicle.  Upon making contact, the detectives immediately recognized the driver as a known North Richmond gang member.  They then noticed a loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun on the rear floorboard of the vehicle.  A second suspect, also from North Richmond, admitted to possessing the stolen handgun.  The detectives located Codeine cough syrup without a prescription in the vehicle.  The suspects were returning to Richmond from the wake of a Vallejo murder victim.  The suspects were arrested. 

Friday, May 24, 2013, 4:30 p.m., 400 block of S. 45th St.--SIS Gang and Parole Units were working a special enforcement operation along with Officers Hoffman and Moczulski. While driving in the area of S. 45th and Cutting Blvd., Det. Reina attempted to speak with a known 18 year-old suspect. The suspect fled on foot, holding what appeared to be a firearm in his waistband, into the 4400 block of Cutting Blvd.  Det. Reina also advised Sgt. Simmons and Sgt. Barragan that this suspect was wanted for a previous charge, however the arrest warrant was not entered into the system yet.
A perimeter was set up and search ensued with the assistance of both K-9 officers.  Officer Caine and K-9 Ranger tracked the suspect into a shed in the rear yard of a residence in the 400 block of S. 45th St.  The suspect refused to exit the shed and K-9 contact was made.  The suspect was taken into custody.  A loaded Ruger 9mm, with the serial number removed, was located in the backyard just north of the suspect’s location.
The suspect received medical treatment at the scene and was transported to Doctors’ Hospital for booking clearance.  He was then transported out to the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez.    

Thursday, May 23, 2013, 7:00 p.m., 200 block of 15th St.--Officer Branch was dispatched to a residence in this block regarding a domestic violence incident.  He contacted the victim who stated that her live-in boyfriend and father of their three children had assaulted her.  The victim reported the 31 year-old suspect choked her and pulled her hair after the two were arguing over his belief that she had been cheating on him.  As a result of the physical assault, the victim also sustained bruising to the left side of her back.  The victim declined to be transported for medical attention.  All three children were present in an adjacent room during this incident, but were unharmed.  Officer Branch obtained an Emergency Protective Order (EPO) for the victim and provided her with all the necessary DV referral information.  The suspect was arrested and booked into RPD Jail.      
                                               
Thursday, May 23, 2013, 7:00-11:00 p.m.--Det. K. Simmons and several other officers conducted a human trafficking operation at a local hotel.  Undercover and marked units were utilized during this operation to target those individuals advertising escort services via the Internet. Sgt. Soto was the operation supervisor.

Thursday, May 23, 2013—Feedback to Dispatch from a Neighborhood Watch Group:
Dear Mr. Baptiste,
Thank you and Diane very much for your presentation at our Upper Rheem Neighborhood Watch meeting on Monday.  Most of us likely assumed that your work is stressful, but had no idea how intricate the dispatch process is.  It was eye-opening to consider the challenges you face every day even just in coordinating calls in many languages.
We residents are proud to have the Richmond Police Communications staff recognized as an "ACE" for the excellent service you provide.
I'd like to continue the dialog about how non-emergency and 'suspicious' activity calls can be handled, perhaps working on a hotline that is mostly informative, rather than a call to action.  We look forward to setting up a tour of your operations!
Again, thank you for your gracious presentation. It is always reassuring to know that those behind the scenes are dedicated professionals who take such obvious and justified pride in their work.

With appreciation,

Mae Clark

Wednesday, May 22, 2013--Officer Phillip Sanchez presented a case to the District Attorney’s Office for review related to a major DUI-related crash that occurred March 28th on Richmond’s south-side.  The D.A. filed multiple felonies, including felony DUI.  Bail on the suspect was set at $140,000.  This was a serious injury collision involving a white Chevy Camaro and a blue Chevy Silverado pickup.  There were seven occupants between the two involved vehicles.  One female was ejected through the closed, convertible top of the Camaro and remains in critical condition.  On May 23, Sgt. Joey Schlemmer assisted Officers Sanchez and Reid with the arrest of the suspect at his residence in the Monterey Pines Apartments.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 11:45 a.m., S. 28th and Cutting Blvd.--Officers Diaz and Moody observed three subjects park and exit the suspect vehicle in the area of So. 26th St. & Cutting Blvd.  The officers are familiar with the suspects from prior contacts and know them to be affiliated with a Richmond street gang.  A short time later, the suspects returned to the vehicle and drove a circuitous route through Easter Hill back to Cutting Blvd.  The officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the suspect vehicle for vehicle code violations.  Subsequent to the detention, the officers detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle.  During a search of the passenger compartment, the officers located a loaded revolver (Rossi, .38 ca.) in the center console.  All three subjects (20, 20, and 21 years of age) were arrested and booked into jail.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 4:00 p.m., Alamo Ave. and Kelsey St.--Detectives Bailey and Ricchiuto were driving WB on Alamo Ave. approaching Kelsey St. when they heard gunfire.  They looked towards the direction of the gunfire and saw the 19 year-old suspect standing near the NW corner of the intersection with a semi-automatic handgun in his hand.  The detectives broadcast their observations as the suspect turned and fled on foot SB into the 500 block of Alamo Ave.  A perimeter was established with responding units, and a systematic search was conducted for the suspect.  The suspect was ultimately taken into custody while attempting to gain entry to a residence in the 400 block of Duboce Ave. 
Officer Canelo contacted a resident whose video surveillance system captured the suspect throwing a semi-automatic handgun while running through backyards.  Officer Canelo then located the handgun (Glock 17, 9mm, semi-auto handgun, loaded, w/extended magazine, stolen out of Davis, CA) in the area.  CHP officers assisted with the perimeter and a San Pablo PD K-9 officer assisted with an article search for the firearm.  SIS and the Homicide Unit assumed investigative responsibility for the incident. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 11:00 a.m., S. 37th St. and Florida Ave.—The Department began receiving ShotSpotter activations and calls from residents regarding a shooting in the area of S. 37th St & Florida Ave.  As officers were responding, Dispatch provided updated information indicating there had been an exchange of gunfire between a black male adult who was standing near S. 37th St & Florida Ave. and a white 1990s SUV that was last seen traveling NB on S. 37th St.  Dispatch also advised that a caller saw the suspect run into an address in the 3600 block of Florida Ave.
Officers responded to the area and a short time later the suspect emerged from the Florida Ave. address wearing different clothing.  Officer Middleton detained him, however, at that time the officers were unable to hold on to him because the reporting witness was unwilling to cooperate with the investigation.  Sgt. Gard re-contacted the witness and ultimately persuaded them to cooperate.  Officers returned to the Florida Ave. address and detained the suspect, along with a 31 year-old male in the carport area of the residence.
Officer Middleton and Officer Stonebraker located a handgun (Taurus, blue steel, .45 ca., semi-automatic) and the clothing the suspect had been wearing during the shooting, in the rear yard, close to where he had been standing.  The residence was locked down and the SIS/Gang Unit responded to assist with the investigation.  Consent to search was obtained, and the residence was searched for additional evidence related to the shooting.  The suspect was arrested/booked into RPD Jail.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 1:30 p.m., Marina Way S. and Cutting Blvd.--Officers Diaz and Stonebraker conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the suspects’ vehicle.  Subsequent to detaining the suspects, Officer Diaz  located open containers of alcohol within the passenger compartment.  He ordered the suspects out of the vehicle so the officers could retrieve and search for additional contraband.  Inside the vehicle they located the following:  (45) pieces of cocaine base, (30-40) gram sized bags of marijuana, (100) hydrocodone pills, $700, and a loaded .22 ca., semi-auto, handgun.  Both suspects were arrested/booked into RPD Jail.  

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