Police Beat: Capt. Denis O'Leary

Too Young to Shave?

Taraval Station plainclothes officers were investigating a tip about a local youth that was known to possess a "shaved" automobile key. A shaved key is one that has been filed down sufficiently to be used as a passkey for other cars.

After confronting the youth, he admitted to possessing the key and using it to steal 10 to 15 Honda Accords in the past. Another key was discovered at the youth's home.

The youth was released to his parents on a promise to appear at Juvenile Hall.

Another Shave Job

Officers Liddicoet and Chew were sent to a home on 38th Avenue on a call about a man with a gun.

There they found a concerned relative who explained that his nephew was inside the house and that he had been seen carrying a gun earlier while dining in a local restaurant.

The pair of officers confronted the nephew at the doorway of the house. The man had a loaded pistol in his waistband. He was quickly disarmed and a sergeant was called.

Sgt. Joe Zamagni inspected the weapon and determined that its serial numbers have been shaved off. The man was booked on felony charges at Taraval Station.

Burglary Suspect Foiled by Aluminum Foil

Officers Liddicoet and Dullea were sent to the Stonestown Galleria, where security guards had a man in custody for theft.

Video cameras had caught the man as he entered a boutique with a shopping bag that had its interior lined with aluminum foil. The foil is used to defeat alarm systems that detect stolen merchandise.

Security guards monitoring the video cameras had watched as the man took merchandise in the store and placed it into the bag. He then left the store without paying for the goods.

The man was stopped and arrested by the guards.

The thief was determined to be on parole, too. He was booked for burglary and other felonies at Taraval Station.

Stellar Arrest

Officer Lau stopped a motorist for numerous unsafe lane changes on 19th Avenue and Ocean Street.

An investigation showed that the driver's license had been suspended and that he was wanted in San Luis Obispo County on drunk driving charges. Officer Lau arrested the man and impounded his car.

A search of the vehicle revealed a martial arts weapon ­ a throwing star ­ in the passenger compartment. The man was booked appropriately at Taraval Station.

Suspect Seeking Sanctuary

Officer King was on patrol at Vicente Street and 17th Avenue when he saw a young man driving a white Toyota fail to stop at the stop sign posted there. King followed the car and pulled it over on 18th Avenue, between Vicente and Ulloa streets.

Before King could approach the offender, the Toyota sped away. A short chase ensued before the culprit crashed into a parked car at the original scene of the crime.

The suspect tried to hide in St. Cecilia's Church. Having no luck in that endeavor, the suspect ran through the church's schoolyard and into the backyards of 18th Avenue homes. Taraval Station officers and a good citizen chased the youth down and officer Quan took the young man into custody.

The Toyota was determined to be stolen and the youth was turned over to the Juvenile Authority.

Going Fishing?

Officers Gala and Buhagiar were summoned to John Muir Drive in the wee hours of the morning when a citizen called to report an automobile burglary in-progress. The caller said that there were at least four people involved.

The officers soon found a man hiding inside a car at the scene. As they confronted the man, the two officers heard movement in the bushes nearby. Backup officers were called, as was a police dog. Another suspect was seen in the shrubbery and detained.

While waiting for the canine unit to arrive, officer Buhagiar inspected other cars parked near the suspect's car. He found a Jeep with its right side window broken out and a trail of fishing bait and fishing equipment leading from the car to a large bush.

Announcing his presence, Buhagiar demanded the surrender of any suspects hiding in the bush. Two more suspects came out of their hiding places with their hands in the air.

The citizen identified all four men as those he had seen breaking into the cars.

The quartet was booked at Taraval Station.

Capt. Denis O'Leary is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.