Mar 28 2019

Piedmont Home Invasion Robbery

On Thursday, March 28, 2019, at approximately 4:45 a.m., the Piedmont Police Department received a report of a home invasion robbery which occurred on Tyson Circle in the City of Piedmont.

Two residents of the home were confronted by three suspects armed with handguns and one unarmed suspect. The suspects ransacked the home and took various items of value. Both victims sustained minor injuries while escaping from the home and were later transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect #1 described as black male, early 20’s, slim build, dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.

Suspect #2 described as black male, mid 20’s muscular build with broad shoulders.

Suspect #3 described as a young Hispanic male in his 20’s, round face, average build and unknown color hooded sweatshirt.

Suspect #4 described as black male adult.

All of the suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction prior to police arrival. Additional information will be made available as the investigation continues.

If anyone has any information related to this event, please call Detective Jeff Spranza at (510) 420-3013.

If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Piedmont Police Department Tip Line at (510) 420-3055. For press inquiries, please contact Captain Chris Monahan at (510) 420-3012.

Jan 25 2018

Piedmont Home Invasion Robbery Wed. Jan 24

Piedmont Police Department – PRESS RELEASE –

On Wednesday night, January 24, 2018, at approximately 8:40 PM, three armed suspects forced their way into a residence on Lorita Avenue in the City of Piedmont.

Once inside, the suspects ordered the residents into one room. One armed suspect watched over the residents while the other two suspects ransacked the house. The suspects stole jewelry, electronics (laptops and cellular telephones, wallets containing credit cards, and cash).

The suspects fled at approximately 8:50 PM in a white or light colored, possible SUV, which was parked nearby.

The three suspects were described as African American males, in their late teens to early 20’s. Two of the males were approximately 5’10” with thin builds. The third suspect was taller at between 6’01” to 6’03” with a thin build. All three suspects wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information and/or inquiries related to this case are asked to please contact Detective Jeff Spranza or Detective Bob Coffey at (510) 420-3013.

Jan 23 2018

Police Update on October Home Invasion Robbery

Update regarding a home invasion robbery that occurred on October 10, 2017, at approximately 10:30 PM, on the 1300 block of Oakland Avenue in the City of Piedmont.

Piedmont Chief of Police – Press Release

Through the diligent efforts of Piedmont Police detectives, with the assistance of the Oakland Police Department, the first of three home invasion suspects has been charged with Robbery, Burglary, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment and Elder Abuse. The suspect listed below is currently in custody on other unrelated charges and has a lengthy criminal history including two non-violent strikes.

Charged is Dante Brown, 35, a resident of Oakland. The Piedmont Police Department’s investigation to identify the two remaining suspects is still ongoing. They are described below:

Suspect # 1 was a male black adult in his 20’s, 6’00” tall, average build, last described wearing an all-black North Face jacket, a white mask, jeans, and black and white shoes. He was armed with a small revolver.

Suspect # 2 was a male black adult in his 20’s, 5’8” tall, average build, and unshaven. He was last described wearing all black, possibly a black zip up sweater, beanie, and Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes. He was armed with a black semi-automatic firearm with an extended magazine.

If anyone has any information related to the suspects or this incident, please call Detective Jeff Spranza at (510) 420-3013. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Piedmont Police Department Tip Line at (510) 420-3055. For press inquiries, please contact Captain Chris Monahan at (510) 420-3012.

403 Highland Avenue ▪ Piedmont, CA 94611 ▪ Phone (510) 420-3000 ▪ Fax (510) 420-1121

Prior PCA articles can be read > HERE.

Dec 1 2017

Home Invasion Robbery Report with Video

Piedmonters are concerned about the home invasion robbery that occurred in October on Oakland Avenue in Piedmont.  The well-traveled street would seem to be an unlikely spot for an intrusive, violent crime.

The perpetrators turned off the PG&E electrical supply to the home at the unlocked meter.  When the homeowner exited their home to examine their meter, the perpetrators overtook the man and threatened him with their gun, while causing physical harm to him.

Before leaving the scene, the criminals stole numerous valuables from the homeowners.

Watch the KTVU news coverage of the robbery by clicking below:

http://www.ktvu.com/news/piedmont-police-release-surveillance-video-in-home-invasion-robbery

Contact the Piedmont Police Department with any leads or observations regarding this crime plus any suspicious activities seen in Piedmont at 510/420-3000.

 

Nov 30 2017

Home Invasion Robbery Update of Oct. 10 Incident

PIEDMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT

Office of the Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE

This press release is an update regarding a home invasion robbery that occurred on October 10, 2017, at approximately 10:30 PM, on the 1300 block of Oakland Avenue in the City of Piedmont.

One of the homeowners was confronted by an armed suspect who demanded his cellphone. Two additional suspects entered the home and confronted the other homeowner at gunpoint and demanded valuables. Both victims sustained minor injuries and were treated on scene.

The three suspects took cash, electronics, and other valuable items from the home before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect # 1 was a male black adult in his 20’s, 6’00” tall, average build, last described wearing an all-black North Face jacket, a white mask, jeans, and black and white shoes. He was armed with a small revolver.

Suspect # 2 was a male black adult in his 20’s, 5’8” tall, average build, and unshaven. He was last described wearing all black, possibly a black zip up sweater, beanie, and Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes. He was armed with a black semi-automatic firearm with an extended magazine.

Suspect # 3, shown in the video, was a male black adult in his late 20’s-early 30’s, 5’8” tall, average build, and unshaven. He was last described wearing a zip up hooded sweatshirt, a light colored beanie, and basketball shoes. He was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun.

All of the suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction prior to police arrival.

If anyone has any information related to the suspects, please call Detective Jeff Spranza at (510) 420-3013. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Piedmont Police Department Tip Line at (510) 420-3055. For inquiries, please contact Captain Chris Monahan at (510) 420-3012.

403 Highland Avenue ▪ Piedmont, CA 94611 ▪ Phone (510) 420-3000 ▪ Fax (510) 420-1121

Oct 11 2017

Home Invasion Robbery in Piedmont on Tuesday, October 10

Piedmonters are alerted to be watchful if their power is unexpectedly turned off.

On October 10, 2017, at 10:30 p.m., a home invasion robbery occurred in the City of Piedmont. It is believed that the suspects shut off the power to the victim’s residence to lure them outside. While inspecting the cause of the power outage outside of the home, one of the residents was confronted by one of the suspects who was armed with a firearm. Two additional suspects simultaneously confronted another resident inside the home.

The initial victim confronted outside was forced back into the residence at which point the three suspects demanded valuables from the victims and searched the house for items of value to take. One of the suspects struck one of the victims in the head with his firearm during the incident.

The three suspects took cash, electronics and other items of value from the home and victims before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction.

The suspects were described as follows: Suspect #1 was described as a black male adult in his 20’s, 5′ 8″, last seen wearing all black possibly wearing a mask or beanie, and armed with a black semi-automatic handgun. Suspect #2 is described as a black male adult in his 20’s, 6′ 0″, last seen wearing all black possibly wearing a mask or beanie, and possibly armed with a black semi-automatic handgun. Suspect #3 is described as a black male adult in his 20’s, shorter, last seen wearing all black clothing. It is unknown whether this suspect was armed.

The robbery took place in the 1300 block of Oakland Avenue.  

For future reference, readers may locate crimes on the following website of the Piedmont Police Department:

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/police/crime.shtml

Anyone with information related to the robbery case is asked to contact Piedmont Detective Willie Wright at (510) 420-3013.

Aug 31 2016

Piedmont Home Invasion Robbery on Estates Drive

PIEDMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE  August 31, 2016

                  On August 30, 2016, at approximately 8:00 pm, three armed suspects entered a residence located in the 200 block of Estates Drive in the City of Piedmont while the residents were home.  The suspects isolated the residents in an area of the home and proceeded to ransack ultimately stealing cash and jewelry.  The suspects fled the scene on foot and possibly got into an unknown vehicle.

         None of the residents were injured during the incident.

Suspect Descriptions:

Suspect – 1 was described as a Black male, 18- ­22 years old, 5’7’’­5’9’’, thin build.

Suspect – 2 was described as a Black male, 18­- 22 years old, 5’8’’­5’10’’, medium build

Suspect – 3 was described as a Black male, 21-­25 years old and shorter than suspects #1 &  #2.

Anyone with information and/or inquiries related to this case

 are asked to please contact Detective  Willie Wright at (510) 420­3013.

Jan 11 2019

Home Invasion Robberies

 

PRESS RELEASE   Piedmont Police Department

Over the last two weeks several home invasion robbery cases, which occurred in the City of Piedmont over the course of the last two years, have concluded and the suspects involved in the incidents have been brought to justice. These cases were successfully investigated by Piedmont Police officers and detectives and prosecuted by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The Piedmont Police Department was aided greatly by the several law enforcement agencies in the area. The collaborative networking of these agencies resulted in several dangerous felons being apprehended and prosecuted.

Piedmont Police Officer David Cutler located and arrested two of three suspects immediately after they committed a home invasion robbery on the 500 block of Scenic Avenue. Further investigation by Piedmont Police Detectives Wright, Coffey, Spranza and coordination with San Francisco Police, Emeryville Police, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the identification and arrest of the third outstanding suspect. On January 10, 2019, representatives from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office notified our detectives that the involved suspects, Dimitri Johnson (21 years, Oakland), Terrace Fears (21 years old, Emeryville) and Sidney Davis 23 years old, Oakland) plead guilty to the home invasion robbery and will also serve lengthy prison terms for their crimes.

On 10/10/ 2017, a home invasion robbery occurred at a residence on the 1300 block of Oakland Avenue. This incident was particular in the method used by the suspects where they lured the victims out of the home by turning off the power from the outside electrical panel. The initial responding officer and detective conducted thorough investigations and were aided by the outstanding work of the Alameda County Sherriff’s Department, who provided Crime Scene Technicians to process the scene of the robbery. Because of this work, Dante Brown was identified and charged for the home invasion robbery. On January 8, 2019, representatives from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office notified our detectives that the suspect plead “no contest” for the felony residential robbery with the use of a firearm. He is to be sentenced in the near future to a lengthy prison sentence.

On 1/24/18, a home invasion robbery occurred at a residence on Lorita Avenue. In this event, three armed suspects approached the victims, forced them into the residence and ransacked the home. The initial responding officers were able to locate video from a neighbor’s surveillance system. The video led PPD detectives to a possible vehicle. Piedmont Automated License Plate Reading (ALPR) cameras provided additional links to the suspected vehicle. Those links were further investigated and led to a positive match of the suspect vehicle. An alert OPD officer located the vehicle in question and additional information that led to the suspects. Ultimately, with help from the Stockton Police Department, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the suspects were positively identified and arrested. S1 Michael Austin (33, Oakland), S2 Brandon Johnson (30, Stockton), S3 William Edwards (22, Oakland). Each suspect has been arraigned in Superior Court.

If anyone has any additional information related to any of these events, please call Detective Jeff Spranza at (510) 420-3013. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Piedmont Police Department Tip Line at (510) 420-3055. For press inquiries, please contact Captain Chris Monahan at (510) 420-3012 or CMonahan@piedmont.ca.gov.

Editors Note: Questions or concerns regarding this press release are directed to Piedmont Police Captain Chris Monahan at the contact locations noted above.
Jan 21 2013

Piedmont Police Issues Urgent Home Invasion Alert to Residents

Two more home invasions in Piedmont -Sturdy front door and locks advised

On Monday, January 21, 2013 at 6:12 a.m., Piedmont Police received a report that unknown person(s) rang the doorbell of a home in the 100 block of Estates Drive at about 6 a.m. There was no description of the person(s).
At 6:20 a.m., Piedmont Police received a report that three tall black male adults, in their early to mid-20’s, wearing dark clothing and bandanas over their faces had kicked in the front door of another home in the 100 block of Estates Drive. One suspect with a short barreled rifle or shotgun confronted one resident in the home. Another suspect with a semi-auto handgun confronted the other resident. Both residents were told to “lay down” while the suspects ransacked the home. Suspects looked for and asked about money, which was not available. Suspects took change, a computer monitor and a small jewelry box.

Oakland Police officers  in the Estates Drive area were contacted.  They advised Piedmont officers that they were searching for subjects fitting the description of the robbery suspects because of a suspicious persons call in Oakland near the Piedmont border.

At 6:53 a.m., while officers were still investigating the home invasion robbery on Estates Drive, Piedmont Police received a report from a resident in the unit block of Arroyo Avenue — on the opposite side of Piedmont from Estates Drive– that three to five black male adults in their early to mid-20’s had kicked in the front door of the residence. Most suspects were described as thin, one as heavy set. One adult resident was confronted by a suspect who was armed with a hand gun. This resident screamed and was punched by the suspect, and forced to the floor. One additional suspect was armed with a short barreled rifle or shotgun. Another suspect locked the other resident in the basement when he tried to come upstairs to assist. The suspects ransacked the home, attempting to take computer and video equipment. They attempted to remove a safe.  The other victim escaped the basement and went to a neighbor to call the police. A black female adult suspect waiting in a silver or gray, newer-style full-size SUV, similar to a Suburban with left front damage, apparently called the suspects in the home by cell phone. The suspects fled the home. When the first victim tried to follow, a suspect fired a shot toward the residence. This shot passed through the glass of a front window of the residence before exiting through a rear window to the outside.

Previous home invasions occurred in Piedmont on the evening of January 7 in the 100 block of Indian Road  and the evening of December 12 in the 100 block of  Scenic Avenue.  These types of crimes are also on the rise in nearby communities. Piedmont Police are working cooperatively with robbery investigators throughout Alameda County.  Residents are encouraged to check the quality of their door and window locks, ensure they have ample motion sensor lighting on their homes, consider an alarm system, and to report suspicious activities to the police immediately. If all of this fails to discourage criminals and you are the victim of an armed crime, do not risk the safety of yourself or your family members. When the criminals have left the area, immediately phone 9-1-1 to request assistance.

If you have any information that may help investigators identify these suspects or if you would like to sponsor a neighborhood watch meeting to help keep residents informed and involved, please call Detective George Phifer at (510) 420-3013.

Jan 31 2019

Piedmont 2018 Crime Map and Report

“The ten robberies which were reported during 2018 were generally street robberies where suspects approached individuals on sidewalks, driveways, or other public areas and took items of value by means of force or fear. One of the robberies was a home invasion robbery where the suspects confronted residents. The suspects in that incident were identified, arrested, and have been charged with numerous felonies. Burglaries, defined generally as the unlawful entry into a dwelling or specified structure with the intent to commit a theft or other felony, decreased from 60 incidents in 2017 to 47 incidents in 2018. Larceny-theft increased from 97 reported offenses in 2017 to 123 reported offenses in 2018. Motor vehicle theft also increased in 2018.”

In 2018, Piedmont police officers made 17 arrests and recovered 29 stolen vehicles with a valuation of $257,800 in events directly related to the Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras. By comparison, officers made 28 arrests and recovered 39 stolen vehicles with an approximate valuation of $254,933 in 2017.
Also provided with this report is a printout of the Piedmont Police Department Case Disposition Report. This report shows the number of police reports generated by the Department during the year, as well as the disposition of those cases.

“While the Police Department continuously conducts proactive patrols to mitigate thefts and other crimes, we cannot overemphasize the importance of residents and visitors employing basic crime prevention actions such as not leaving valuables in vehicles.”   Piedmont Police 

School Resource Officer – Police Officer within the High and Middle School

The Superintendent of Piedmont Unified School District and the Police Chief established regular monthly meetings in May of 2018 for information sharing and to identify collaborative opportunities for improvement. The Department and PUSD proposed a School Resource Officer (SRO) position to the Board of Education and City Council.

Public outreach efforts to parents, students, staff and other community stakeholders are currently underway. Comments can be made to the School Board and City Council.

The Board of Education and City Council will ultimately decide whether to implement the recommended SRO program. Should the program be approved for implementation, the first three years of the salary and benefits would be paid for by a State of California, Department of Justice tobacco grant.

The Crime Report will be discussed at the Piedmont Council meeting on Monday, February 4, 2019, in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue starting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live from the City website under videos and on Cable Channel #27.

Read the full 2018 Year End Crime Report including the Crime Map by clicking below:

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/staffreports/2019-02-04/yearendcrimereport.pdf