Police Respond Quickly As Two Neighbors Detain Suspect Until Police Arrive
By Larry Freeman
An alleged burglar, a light, scruffy bearded male, reportedly in his thirties according to a local social media post, found himself cuffed in the back of an APD squad car at about 7:15 a.m. on January 23rd as three officers, one speaking to the suspect in Spanish, surrounded the car’s door to detain and question him.
Droopy-eyed and slouching, with head hung low, the young man intermittently and softly muttered short answers to some of the questions for about twenty minutes, before police carted him away from the scene along Garfield Ave.
As is protocol, officers searched the property and the surrounding area to look for other suspects, identify loss or damage and gather evidence.
At around 6:45 that morning, a home security system showed an individual in the backyard entering anADU on the property and a resident became suspicious.
Wondering if and hoping that it was just her husband, she phoned her spouse who was on a walk, and he darted home.
Realizing that she had seen an intruder, she immediately called APD just seconds after 7:00 am with a “crime in progress,” and cop cars began to roll, with the first arriving in about five minutes, according to one of the residents who asked that his name and their address be withheld for privacy and safety reasons.
Arriving on scene, the husband discovered the alleged perpetrator, who had unlawfully gained entry into the property’s ADU unit, stuffing a number of power tools into a black, S.F. Giants spring training bag.
The resident confronted the subject and, after a brief wrestle, subdued him, pinning him to the ground”, before another neighbor arrived to lend an added presence.
Before long, five officers, some coming off the night shift and others coming onto day shift, arrived in at least three black and whites, and the suspect was arrested and taken into custody without further incident.
Among other items in his possession before his breaking and entering into the ADU, were a Specialized mountain bike, a large duffel bag containing a sizeable electric generator situated on a three wheeled golf trolley, a Ryobi battery, jewelry, what was described as “some swim gear,” and various tools as a screwdriver and box cutter, common household or burglary tools.
The bike, trolley and bag, covered by a purple tee shirt with white lettering, were parked along the curb, a few doors down from the where the suspect was captured “red handed,” according to one officer on the scene.
All of those items were also taken into police possession and any that turn out to be stolen are routinely held as evidence.
When the DA’s office is no longer requires them, their owners may apply to APD to try and get it back, provided that they have receipts or other proof of ownership. For those who might do so , refer to APD incident number: 2401230018
Word readily got around among the block’s closely-knit, watchful band of neighbors through group text messaging, with folks rapidly weighing in to offer commendations, provide stress support and added information for the victims.
The block-wide group has assisted one another many other times to report suspicious activity and crimes in progress on Garfield Ave. and scared off multiple suspects or thwarted possible thefts over the past year.
The suspect identified himself, while being held before police arrived, as a homeless person and drug addict from San Leandro.
If the value of the stolen property exceeds $950, California’s revised threshold for misdemeanor crimes, the DA’s office can charge him with a felony.
APD has not confirmed, as of this time, if they arrested the suspect on Felony counts but APD Chief, Nishant Joshi, confirmed that the suspect was taken by APD to Santa Rita County Jail.
