The following is a summary of criminal activity in El Cerrito police calls between January 26 – February 8 according to the El Cerrito Police Department.
It was also recently announced that the El Cerrito Police Announces Use of Facial Recognition Software
January 26th
- Possession of Narcotics / Drug Paraphernalia – 2500 Block of Alva Ave. At 1:04 AM, officers noticed a suspicious vehicle and contacted the driver. During the investigation, officers located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the driver’s possession. The driver was arrested, booked at the El Cerrito Police Department, and released with a citation.
- Robbery – 11861 San Pablo Ave. (Starbucks): At 9:52 AM, a suspect threatened staff with a weapon before stealing items from the business.
- Shoplift – 670 El Cerrito Plaza (CVS): At 11:07 AM, an officer accepted the Citizen’s Arrest of a suspect who stole merchandise. The suspect was arrested, booked at the El Cerrito Police Department, and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
- Attempt Theft – 7400 Block of Seaview Pl. At 9:59 PM, an officer reports a suspect had entered and rummaged through the victim’s vehicle. The victim reports no items were taken.
- Warrant Arrest / Possession of Narcotics / Paraphernalia – San Pablo Ave. / Jefferson Ave. At 1:50 AM, an officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop. During an investigation, officers found the driver to have an outstanding warrant. During a search incident to arrest, the driver was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The driver was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and released with a citation.
January 27th
- Theft – San Pablo Ave. / Potrero Ave. On 01/25/2025 between the hours of 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, the victim reports they were standing at a bus stop when a suspect stole their purse. The suspect fled the area prior to police arrival.
January 28th
- Theft – Stockton Ave. / Kearney St. At 12:00 PM, a suspect stole the victim’s bicycle, placed it inside of a vehicle, and fled the area prior to police arrival.
January 29th
- Stolen Vehicle – 1700 block of Lexington Ave. At 10:15 AM, the victim reports their vehicle was stolen sometime last night.
- Robbery – 1000 El Cerrito Plaza (Lucky):At 2:42 PM, an officer reports a suspect stole items and was stopped by security. The suspect fought store security and fled the area prior to police arrival.
- Shoplifting – 670 El Cerrito Plaza (CVS): At 4:07 PM, an officer reports a suspect stole items and fled the area prior to police arrival.
January 30th
- Nothing to report.
January 31st
- Petty Theft – 11760 San Pablo Ave. At 7:55 AM, an officer reports a suspect stole a vehicle battery sometime between 01/28/2025 and 01/31/2025.
- Theft – 3090 El Cerrito Plaza (Starbucks): At 6:06 PM, a victim reports their stolen bicycle GPS was located at a nearby motel. Officers responded to the area and located the stolen bicycle inside one of the occupied rooms. The case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.
February 1st
- Nothing to report.
February 2nd
- Commercial Burglary – 10598 San Pablo Ave. (Baskin Robbins): At 4:21 AM, an officer reports a suspect threw a rock through a window on the north side of the business to gain entry. The suspect stole property and fled the scene prior to police arrival.
- Robbery – 11565 San Pablo Ave. (Walgreens): At 8:09 PM, an officer reports a suspect attempted to leave the store with the unpaid merchandise when the suspect was stopped by a store employee. The suspect became upset and started throwing items at the employee. The suspect then threw a rock at the windows and fled the area prior to police arrival.
February 3rd
- Stolen Vehicle – 700 Block of Liberty St. At 5:13 AM, a victim reported their vehicle being stolen.
- Theft with Priors / Possession of Ammo by Felon / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 11565 San Pablo Ave. (Walgreens): At 8:31 PM, an officer was at the business conducting follow-up of a previous another incident when the officer was flagged down by an employee for a theft in progress. As the suspect was attempting to leave the store with concealed unpaid merchandise, the officer stopped the suspect. During the investigation, officers confirmed the crime had taken place. During a search incident to arrest, the suspect was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and live ammo. Further investigation found the suspect had two prior convictions for theft. The suspect was booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
February 4th
- Drunk in Public – 11450 San Pablo Ave. (Safeway): At 11:07 AM, officers located a suspect drinking alcohol in public and was visibly intoxicated. The suspect was arrested, booked at the El Cerrito Police Department, and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
February 5th
- Shoplifting – 6000 El Cerrito Plaza (Marshalls): At 2:10 PM, a suspect was placed under Citizen’s Arrest after stealing items from the store. The suspect was arrested, booked at the El Cerrito Police Department, and released with a citation.
- Criminal Threats – 800 Block of Craft Ave. At 8:06 PM, the victim received a threatening phone call.
February 6th
- Battery – 10636 San Pablo Ave. (24-Hour Fitness): At 10:15 AM, the victim reports they were assaulted by the suspect while both parties were inside the business. The suspect fled prior to police arrival.
- Battery – Albany Middle School (Cougar Field): At 6:14 PM, the victim was assaulted by a suspect. The suspect fled prior to police arrival.
- Shoplifting / Petty Theft with Priors / Fraud / Possession of Narcotics / Probation Violation / Warrant Arrest – 670 El Cerrito Plaza (CVS): At 9:45 PM, officers responded to a theft in progress. Two suspects fled the store and were later detained at the Plaza BART Station. One suspect was positively identified and placed under arrest. During a search incident to arrest, the suspect was found to be in possession of fraudulent items and narcotics. Further investigation found the suspect was on probation and had a warrant for their arrest. Both suspects were booked at the El Cerrito Police Department and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
February 7th
- Grand Theft – 7400 block of Potrero Ave. At 11:42 AM, an officer reports a bicycle was stolen sometime between 02/03/2025 and 02/05/2025.
- Grand Theft – 1700 block of Ganges Ave. At 12:54 PM, an officer reports theft of property from inside a parked vehicle.
- Shoplifting – 2000 El Cerrito Plaza (Ross): At 7:46 PM, an officer reports a suspect fled the store with unpaid merchandise, prior to police arrival.
- Commercial Burglary – 1700 Block of Eastshore Blvd. At 9:27 PM, officers responded to the business where two suspects stole a portable generator. The following day, officers received information about the generator’s location in a nearby city. Officers responded to the area, located, and processed the generator for evidence. The generator was then returned to the owner.
February 8th
- Defrauding an Innkeeper – 11344 San Pablo Ave. (Denny’s): At 11:07 PM, an officer reports three suspects consumed food and ran out of business without paying.
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