The following is a summary of significant crime and incidents reported in Union City between March 8 and March 12 as released by the Union City Police Department. Reports have been lightly edited for Patch style.
This week’s log includes a report of an illegal credit card reading device attached to a bank lobby entrance door. Cmdr. Ben Horner offers the following advice to prevent identity theft:
Make sure to pay attention to the details when using you ATM or credit cards. Criminals are known to place accessory devices over ATM machines, and even gas pumps. The criminals will commonly add an additional face plate to any machine that accepts a credit card or access card. The face plate might resemble an authentic part of an existing machine. However, the face plate is used to conceal a device that will store information associated with your card. Additional spy cameras are often used in conjunction with the face plate to obtain access codes as you enter numbers on the ATM keypad. It is a good idea to use one of your hands to hide any “PIN” or access numbers you may enter when using ATM style machines.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Two juveniles arrested in home burglary
Officers responded to an in-progress home burglary report on Elias Drive at around 10:25 a.m. A neighbor told police that two male juveniles were trying to break a window on his neighbor’s home. An officer saw two juveniles matching the descriptions who were trying to leave the area. As the officer approached the juveniles, they attempted to run away. One of the juveniles tried to hide in a nearby bush but an alert neighbor led police to the suspect. Both were eventually arrested after a short foot pursuit and taken to juvenile hall. The stolen property from the home burglary was recovered.
One of the suspects told police that they randomly picked a house that didn’t have any cars parked in the driveway. They then peeked into the garage to see if there were any cars inside. After that, they went around to the back of the home and smashed open a read door to get inside the house.
Bomb threat hoax at Walmart
Authorities had to evacuate Walmart for about 30 minutes as they investigated a report of an anonymous bomb threat. Officers responded to the store at about 4:50 p.m. and secured the area to make sure everyone was safe. After an inspection, they determined the call to be a hoax as no device was found.
Read a previous report here.
Suspect at large after fleeing from officers
Officers were conducting a security check at Arroyo Park at around 8:40 p.m. when they located three men smoking weed inside of a car. As the officers approached, the driver fled the area. The officers gave chase onto Royal Ann Drive, near Chinook Court, where the driver stopped the car. The driver and another occupant fled on foot; the third suspect remained inside. One of the two men who fled was arrested after a short foot chase. The other suspect, the driver, was identified as 21-year-old Samir Hudieb of Union City. Hudieb remains at large and anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Union City Police Department.
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
Credit card skimmer found at bank lobby entrance
An illegal credit card skimmer was found attached to the lobby entrance door at the Decoto Road Citibank. A customer noticed a new card reader near the ATM. The customer pulled on the card reader and a false faceplate pulled away from the machine. According to UCPD: “Criminals are known to place accessory card readers over machines in an attempt to obtain customer information. The accessory card readers are designed to store customer card information.”
See photos of the device by clicking on the thumbnails above.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12
Man flashes elderly woman at park
A 77-year-old woman was walking at Mariner Park near Dorado Drive at about 9:45 a.m. when she saw a man pull down his pants and expose his penis. The woman fled after the incident and was not physically harmed. The suspect was described as a black male between 30 and 35 years old, standing about 6-feet tall with a heavyset build.
Loaded gun, cocaine and meth found on arguing couple
Witnesses reported a male and a female arguing inside of a car on Christine Drive at around 6:15 p.m. Officers arrived, contacted the couple and found the man to be in possession of a loaded .357 revolver, cocaine and methamphetamine. He was arrested on drug and gun charges.
Anyone with information about any crime in Union City is asked to contact Union City police at 510-471-1365 or the anonymous tip line at 510-675-5207. Tips can also be e-mailed to tips@unioncity.org.
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