Police Log: Gold Necklace Snatchings; Four Arrested After 9th Street Brawl

The following is a collection of reports prepared by the Union City Police Department. The document contains only items of note that occurred Aug. 9 to 16. Reports have been lightly edited for Patch style

This week’s report also comes with the following message from Cmdr. Ben Horner:

“There appears to be a reoccurrence of ‘strong-arm’ gold chain robberies in the area so everyone needs to be vigilant in regard to their surroundings.  Generally, the criminals will spot a victim wearing gold jewelry then come up quickly and rip or pull it off, many times from behind.  Several of the victims were unaware of the pending threat because they were talking on their cell phones or listening to music with headphones on.”

Thursday, Aug. 9

Woman’s gold necklace snatched on Union City Boulevard

On Thursday about 5:25 p.m., a female walking in the area of Union City Boulevard near Lowry Road told police that a suspect walked behind the victim and snatched a gold necklace from around her neck. The suspect jumped the wall into the Bridgepoint complex on Lowry Road as he was being chased by the victim and her family members.

The victim chased the suspect to a residence on Bridgepoint Place and called the police. The victim recovered her necklace along the path that the suspect fled on. The victim pointed out a residence that the suspect fled into. Officers made contact and detained the occupants. The residents were less than cooperative.

The victim could not positively identify the suspect; but one of the subjects at the residence had an arrest warrant and was taken into custody. Another subject was on parole, so a parole search was conducted of the residence. Additional follow-up is still being conducted on this case.

Pet store employee suspected of embezzling more than $200,000

An officer was sent to investigate a report of an embezzlement at the Healthy Pets store located at 34501 7th St. The officer quickly identified a suspect and additional leads, and requested that the investigations unit respond to assist in this case. The detectives were able to track the suspect’s actions and were able to recover between $200,000.00 to $250,000.00 worth of anti-flea product at a residence in San Leandro. The suspect was stealing products then reselling them on Craig’s List at a sizable profit. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of burglary and grand theft and transported to jail.

.

Friday, Aug. 10

Suspect steals from Walmart, tosses items while driving away on motorcycle

At about 12:26 a.m., officers responded to the Walmart store located at 30600 Dyer St. to investigate a petty theft. The suspect left the scene on a motorcycle, discarding his loot as he rode away. The suspect was spotted a couple of hours later by an officer in the area of Alvarado-Niles Road and Almaden Boulevard. The suspect was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested.

Home burglary at Dry Creek Apartments

Between 5:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., unknown suspect(s) pried the front door of an apartment at the Dry Creek Apartments, located at 33300 Mission Blvd., and burglarized the residence.

Residents cited for shooting paintball gun in backyard

Later this night about 10 p.m., police received a call of a firearm being discharged in the backyard of a residence located on the 33000 block of 3rd Street. Arriving officers set up a perimeter around the residence and called for the people inside to exit the front door with their hands up. Two subjects exited the residence. The investigating officer learned that the two subjects were firing a paintball air gun in the backyard in violation of a City municipal ordinance.

Saturday, Aug. 11

Four arrested after 9th Street brawl

At about 12:20 a.m., officers responded to the 33000 block of 9th Street to investigate a report of multiple subjects fighting in the middle of the street. Arriving officers separated the combatants and learned that the subjects were attending a party when the brawl broke out. All of the combatants knew each other and claimed it was a misunderstanding and did not wish any further police assistance.

Four of the subjects were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. One of the four subjects resisted arrest and decided to kick an officer. In addition to being arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, she was also arrested on suspicion of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Man crashes into parked car, tries to report it stolen

Later this night, officers responded to the area of 7th Street near E street to investigate a vehicle collision into a parked car. Arriving officers found a group of subjects trying to move the suspect vehicle from the scene.

The owner of the vehicle stated that someone at the party had taken his vehicle and insisted on filing a stolen vehicle report. Unfortunately for him, a witness saw him drive the vehicle and crash it into the parked car. The owner was eventually arrested on suspicion of making a false police report and driving while under the influence of alcohol. One of the owner’s friends was also arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and resisting arrest.

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Another gold necklace snatched near Union City Boulevard

At about 6:45 p.m., a victim reported that she was walking on Regents Boulevard near Union City Boulevard when a subject that was walking past her suddenly tore her gold necklace from around her neck and attempted to tear off her wristwatch. The subject fled the scene on foot on Regents Boulevard.

The victim described the subject as a black male adult in his early 20s, 5'11" tall, and 170 pounds with "close cut" black hair, a round face and medium complexion. He was wearing a black t-shirt and dark gray pants.

Wednesday, Aug. 15

Four arrested after being found with drug paraphernalia

At about 11:05 p.m., an officer on routine patrol in the area of Alvarado Boulevard and Lowry Road conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that had expired registration tags. The driver and four occupants were all on probation or parole for various convictions. The officer conducted a search of the vehicle and found .5 grams of methamphetamine and associated drug paraphernalia. The occupants all denied ownership of the contraband, so they were all arrested and transported to jail.

Thursday, Aug. 16

Body found at Casa Verde Park

On Thursday morning, passersby walking through Casa Verde Park located an unresponsive male adult lying on the grass. Paramedics were summoned but could not revive the subject. Officers could locate no obvious trauma on the parts of the body not concealed by clothing. The coroner’s officer transported the body and will conduct an autopsy to determine if foul play was involved in the death. The deceased appeared to be between 40-50 years old, Asian, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Investigations Unit at 510-675-5247.

.