Capt. Sandra Tong: Police Beat

Action on Clement Street
Officers Darla McBride, Justin Erb, Troy Carrasco and Nick Bryant were working on the burglary abatement detail in plain clothes due to a recent rash of commercial burglaries in the district.

McBride was on foot in the area of 20th Avenue and Clement Street when she observed a suspect riding a bicycle in the early morning hours. The bicyclist stopped in front of a store in the 1900 block of Clement Street and started looking around to see who was in the area.

McBride continued her surveillance and noticed the suspect had parked the bicycle and climbed over a fence in front of the property. The officer notified dispatch what she had seen.

Carrasco and Bryant responded to the call and observed the suspect climbing back over the fence as he was attempting to leave. The suspect mounted his bicycle and started pedaling away ­ toward McBride, who engaged the suspect in conversation until the other officers arrived to assist with the arrest.

A weapons search revealed a meat cleaver inside one of the pockets in the suspect's jacket. The other pockets contained methamphetamine, syringes and a pocket knife.

The suspect was transported to Richmond Station and booked.

Auto Boost in Progress
Headquarters dispatched officers Tedman Mark and Charles Tanaka to the Hamilton Recreation Center's tennis courts.

Upon their arrival, Tanaka walked up the street and noticed a car with its right front door open. A male was sitting inside.

Mark drove his police car up to the vehicle and the suspect immediately exited the vehicle. When the suspect turned around and saw Tanaka, an arrest was made. The suspect said he was walking by the vehicle and saw its door open, so he attempted to close it.

Officers Duane Elzey and Ken Marucco contacted the alert citizen who made the call to police dispatch. The concerned citizen said he saw the man crouch down and after a short while he entered the vehicle and started to "mess with the stereo." When he did, the citizen called police.

The vehicle's right rear window was shattered. Inside, the vehicle's stereo was torn apart and the faceplate of the stereo was on the front seat. Tanaka also found a screwdriver on the pavement below the vehicle.

The citizen who called the police positively identified the suspect who was in custody and he was transported to Richmond Station and booked for auto burglary.

Please note, this month's Community/Police Forum will be held June 17, at 7 p.m., at the station's community meeting room, located at 461 Sixth Ave.

Capt. Sandra Tong is the commanding officer at the Richmond Police Station.