By Amy Sylvestri

San Leandro Times

There were two unrelated armed robberies in San Leandro last week, putting the total number of robberies in the city so far this year over 100.

Last Sunday, at around 9 p.m., a female suspect shoplifted from the Walmart at 15555 Hesperian Boulevard and then assaulted the security guards who tried to stop her.

A guard saw the woman put several items in her purse and walk out of the store. When he an another guard approached her in the parking lot, she sprayed them both with pepper spray, according to Lt. Rick DeCosta of the San Leandro police.

The suspect ran off, but the guards caught her again. However, they soon became overwhelmed by the pepper spray and she ran off and got into a waiting car and got away, DeCosta said.

The woman is described as a white or Hispanic female adult, about 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-5, 140 to 160 pounds. The car was a red, newer model hatchback similar to a Mini Cooper.

In the other incident, also on Sunday, the Public Storage on the 2000 block of Marina Boulevard was robbed just before 10 a.m.

A man entered the office with a gun and ordered two employees on to the floor and then demanded cash, according to DeCosta.

The employees gave him the money and the robber then told them that he wasn’t going to steal their phones from them, but ordered them not to follow him out.

The suspect is described as a black male adult with dreadlocks. He was wearing sunglasses and a black leather motorcycle-style jacket with a green logo patch.

The police ask anyone with information about either crime to call the San Leandro police anonymous tip line at 577-3278.

As of April, there were 99 robberies in San Leandro, up 14 percent over the year-to-date total of 2012, which itself was up 26 percent from 2011.

Police Chase Stolen Car

A patrolling officer discovered stolen car after a pursuit  early Thursday morning at around 2:40 a.m.

The officer saw the car driving slowly in the Bayfair parking lot and thought it was suspicious for anyone to be there at that time, according to Lt. Rick DeCosta of the San Leandro police.

The cop tried to pull the car over but the driver accelerated and led the chase east towards the unincorporated area.

Eventually, they reached a dead end on Manchester Court and the driver and a passenger got out of the car and ran in opposite directions and got away.

The driver was identified as an Hispanic male in his 20s or 30s, about 5-foot-10 to 6-feet tall, with a medium build. The passenger was described only as a male in his 20s. The car was discovered to have been reported stolen out of Oakland.

Parking Lot Assault

A man nudged a pedestrian with his car in the parking lot of the Walmart at 1919 Davis Street Friday at around 2:40 p.m., and the pedestrian retaliated by approaching the car window and hitting the driver in the head with a tennis racket.

The driver got out of the car and men both fought, according to Lt. Rick DeCosta of the SLPD.

Cops arrived and the pedestrian wound up getting arrested for assault because police determined he was the aggressor.

A man in his 60s was attacked and beaten by a pair of would-be robbers Sunday night just after 10 p.m. ion the 15500 block of Oceanside Way.

The man pulled his car over and got out of it to talk on his cell phone, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

Two suspects approached the victim and began hitting and kicking him before running away.

The victim briefly lost consciousness and when he woke up,  his wallet had been pulled out of his pocket, but nothing had been taken from the wallet.

The suspects are described as black males, one in his teens and one older, both with medium builds and between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the SLPD’s anonymous tip line at 577-3278.

Mugged at Gunpoint

A man in his 20s was robbed at gunpoint last week and police have made two arrests in the case.

The victim was walking in the 13800 block of Bancroft Avenue on May 2 at around 5 p.m. when he was approached by two men, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

One of the suspects pointed a gun at the victim and then ripped a gold chain off his neck before fleeing on foot.

The victim called 911 and 30 minutes later, the SLPD found the suspects in Oakland. They found the men with the necklace and placed them under arrest.

The suspects were identified as a 31-year-old man from Livermore and a 23-year-old man from Oakland.

Thieves Found with Gun

A loaded gun was found on a suspect during the investigation of a shoplifting incident last week.

A bicycle officer was patrolling Washington Plaza downtown  on April 30 at around 4 p.m. and a store employee told him that a theft was in progress, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

The cop detained a man and a woman from the shoplifting and found the loaded gun in the woman’s waistband while searching her.

The suspects were identified as a 21-year-old woman from Alameda and a 27-year-old man from Oakland.

Found with Burglary Tools

A woman reported two suspicious men knocking on her door and several other doors on the 15000 block of Norton Way Monday morning just after 8 a.m.

Police arrived and found two men matching the description given by the woman driving in the area, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

When police questioned the men, they discovered that the suspects had tools that are commonly used in burglaries in their car.

The police decided that the types of tools and the woman’s testimony that they were knocking on doors was enough to arrest the pair for possession of burglary tools.

Police believe two home invasions that occurred last week may be connected.

The robberies occurred on the 2300 block of Regatta Way on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. and  on the 600 block of Black Pine Drive on April 25 at 1 a.m.

The suspects in both cases knocked on the front door of the residences and received no response.

When the suspects got no answer, they then forced the doors open, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

In the Regatta Way break-in the suspects were several black male adults, all approximately 20 to 30 years old.

In the Black Pine break-in, there were two black male adult suspects with short hair, both wearing hooded sweatshirts.

In both crimes, at least one suspect stayed with the victims while the others burglarized the homes, Brandt said.

The victims in both cases were Asian females. No one was injured.

Brandt advises that, if someone you don’t know knocks on your door, acknowledge them while keeping the door locked. Most of these burglars won’t act if the resident is home. If you are suspicious about someone’s behavior, call the police.

Man Attacked in His Yard

A man was attacked as he stood in his front yard Sunday afternoon.

The man was at home on the 1000 block of Cumberland Avenue around 4 p.m. when several cars pulled up and four to six men got out and began beating him, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

The men hit and kicked him, then ran off. The victim said he did not know why he was attacked. He was not seriously injured and did not want medical attention.

Shots Fired into Home

Several people called 911 and reported the sound of gunshots on the 14900 block of Lark Street on Sunday at around 11:30 p.m.

When officers arrived, they discovered that one home had several bullet holes in it, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San leandro police.

The officers checked on the residents and no one was hurt. They told the cops that they did not know why they would be targeted for an attack.

Shot in the Leg

A man was shot in the leg near Washington Manor Middle School on the 1100 block of Fargo Avenue last Saturday at around 6:30 p.m., and police believe he may have accidently shot himself.

Though the investigation into the incident is ongoing, the victim might have accidentally discharged his own weapon, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD. No one else was injured.

Thief with Knife

A shoplifting suspect threatened a security guard at Target in Bayfair mall last Saturday at around 3:30 p.m.

The guard saw the suspect steal some headphones and followed him outside to confront him and the suspect flashed a knife and ran off, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

Police caught up to him a short distance away with the headphones, but not the knife, and he was arrested.

Burglary Pursuit Ends in Serious Crash

A woman arrived home onthe 300 block of Harlan Street last Friday around 11:30 a.m. and discovered that she was being burglarized.

When she pulled up to her home, she saw a car she didn’t recognize parked in her driveway, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

There was a man in the car and a few seconds later, another young man walked out of her place carrying some of her belongings.

The suspect got in the car andthe men drove north. The victim followed them and called the incident into police while she gave chase.

The suspects later collided with a semi truck on San Leandro Street, near 92nd Avenue in Oakland, Brandt said.

The damage to the suspects’ car was so severe that they had to be cut out of it by the Oakland Fire Department.

Cops later found a loaded gun in the wreckage of the car, as well as some of the victim’s belongings.

The suspects were taken to Highland Hospital, treated, and then taken into police custody.

They were identified as a 22-year-old male and a juvenile male, both from Oakland.

Shots Fired in Fight

Shots were fired in the 13800 block of Catalina Street last Saturday around 2 a.m.

A passerby tried to break up a drunken argument between a group of people and was roughed up by a crowd of at least six men, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

During the scuffle, a gun was fired but no one was hurt. Police say the men were all described as Asian and in their 20s.

Shell casings were found on the ground by police.

The San Leandro police have released surveillance photos of the two men wanted in a string of armed robberies. A $20,000 award is offered for information leading to the  capture and conviction of the pair, who police believe have hit seven stores around the city since the beginning of the year.

Police have linked the men to robberies at Home Depot at 1933 Davis Street, the Rite Aid at 1355 MacArthur Boulevard, the Grocery Outlet at 2179 East 14th Street, and the Dollar Tree at 14801 Washington Avenue.

The suspects enter the business together and rob the stores at gunpoint, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

Brandt said that the San Leandro police believe the same suspects are responsible for at least seven robberies in San Leandro since the beginning of the year and are likely to have committed more in neighboring cities.

During the Jan. 28 robbery at the Grocery Outlet, one of the men fired his gun, but fortunately no one was hurt, Brandt said.

The suspects are described as two black male adults, both approximately 25-35 years old and around 6-feet tall.

Anyone with any information  is asked to call the San Leandro police at 577-2740 or the anonymous tip line at 577-3278.

Kids in Cars

Two parents were arrested in separate incidents after leaving their young children alone in their parked cars while they shopped at the Marina Square Shopping Center last week.

On April 10, a woman left her 4-month-old infant in her car around noon, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

After a passerby called for help,  officers searched the stores for the baby’s mother. When they found the woman, she was arrested for child endangerment.

In the second case, a father was shopping in the same center on April 12 when he left his 3 and 4 year old kids alone in his locked car, Brandt said.

The man finished his shopping and found several officers around his car waiting for him and he was arrested.

Tire Vandal Arrested

San Leandro police arrested a man who has allegedly slashed the tires of over 20 vehicles over the past month.

Officers working the midnight shift caught the 47-year-old suspect and when they did, he threatened them and was arrested for vandalism and making threats to police officer, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

Necklace Snatched

A woman was mugged last Friday afternoon on the 1100 block of Bancroft Boulevard around 5: 30 p.m.

As she walked, a man approached her and struck up a conversation, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD. The man then reached out and grabbed the woman’s necklace, ripping it from her neck.

He then ran away. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s with a small build.

Break-in Prevented

Alert residents prevented a burglary early Sunday morning on the 2300 block of Lakeview Drive.

Around 2 a.m., the residents heard footsteps and pounding noises outside their home and called police, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

When officers arrived, the potential burglar was gone, but the cops found pry marks on a lock to the garage that indicated that someone was trying to break in.

Mayhem at the Movies

A man was arrested at the movie theater at the Bayfair Mall last Saturday at around 5 p.m.

A security guard reported that the man was acting drunk and belligerent, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

An officer arrived and tried to talk to the man, but the man wouldn’t cooperate and eventually physically attacked the officer. The man, a 37-year-old Oakland resident, was arrested for resisting an officer.

By Amy Sylvestri

San Leandro Times

Three teens were arrested in two separate instances this week after witnesses reported their suspicious behavior.

A young man was arrested for robbery last Sunday just after noon, after a witness spotted him and another teen boy running through several yards on Sunnyside Drive.

The teens were running north and jumping over fences and through yards while carrying a bag, according to Lt. Troy Young of the San Leandro police.

A witness overheard one of the teens say “We have to hurry up and get out of San Leandro.”

Responding officers found one of the teens near the intersection of Durant and Beverly avenues. The other boy got away.

The teen that was caught had a bag containing items that belonged to a woman. Police believe the boys were riding on an AC Transit bus when they saw items of value in another passenger’s purse.

They followed the woman off the bus and snatched the bag, Young said.

Two Teens Arrested for ‘Prowling’

In another incident, two teen boys were arrested for prowling last Sunday just before 10 a.m. after being a neighbor reported them acting strangely by ringing doorbells in the area and entering into the yard of a residence on Alvarado Street.

A witness saw the teens ring the doorbell and then look in the backyard, which is consistent with burglary behavior, according to Lt. Troy Young of he San Leandro police.

Officers arrived and found the teens a few blocks away. Police said one of them had “burglary tools” –  a pair of scissors and a screwdriver – in his possession and they were both taken to Juvenile Hall.

Young said that a common technique in burglaries is when a criminal will knock on the front door of a residence to see if the resident is home. If no one answers, they sometimes go in the backyard and find a way to burglarize the house. The police recommend that if you don’t recognize someone at your door, you should announce your presence and ask the person to leave the property and call the police if you think the people are suspicious.

By Amy Sylvestri

San Leandro Times

The San Leandro police are offering a $20,000 award for information leading to the capture and conviction of a pair of armed robbers who have hit several stores around the city.

Beginning in January, police say a pair of men have robbed the Home Depot at 1933 Davis Street, the Rite Aid at 1355 MacArthur Boulevard, the Grocery Outlet at 2179 East 14th Street, and the Dollar Tree at 14801 Washington Avenue.

The suspects enter the business together and rob the stores at gunpoint, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

Brant said that the San Leandro police believe the same suspects are responsible for at least seven robberies in San Leandro since the beginning of the year and are likely to have committed more in neighboring cities.

During the Jan. 28 robbery at the Grocery Outlet, one of the men fired his gun, but fortunately no one was hurt, Brandt said.

The suspects are described as two black male adults, both approximately 25-35 years old and around 6-feet tall.

One of the men is described as weighing between 180 and 225 pounds and wore a beanie cap and sweatshirt during the robberies.

The other is described as weighing 210 to 260 pounds and wore a long-sleeved shirt and sweat pants during the robberies and he was the one that was armed with a handgun.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the San Leandro police at 577-2740 or the anonymous tip line at 577-3278.

Right in His Backyard

A man was arrested after hiding in his own shed from police last Sunday around 2:30 p.m.

A bicycle cop was patrolling the area and saw the man out washing his car at his home on the 1600 block of Clark Street.

The officer recognized the man as having a warrant out for his arrest in a stolen vehicle case and called for support, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

The man hid while other officers arrived. With use of a K9 unit police dog, the man was found in his shed and arrested.

Tried to Ditch the Drugs

A man was arrested on a drug charge after police spotted him and a passenger parking in the lot of a 7-Eleven convenience store on the 300 block of East 14th Street just after 1:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5.

The patrolling officer became suspicious of the two men in the parking lot at such a late hour and thought they might be casing the store for a potential robbery or other crime, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the San Leandro police.

The cop observed the men for a while and saw the driver toss something out of his window.

The officer detained the men and retrieved what was thrown, which tuned out to be a pill containing opiates that the diver had no prescription for.

The driver was arrested and his vehicle was towed. The passenger was released.

Family Feud

A woman in her 60s was given a warning by police after allegedly brandishing a weapon at her nephew on the 14800 block of Farnsworth Street last Sunday around 8:20 a.m.

When police arrived, the nephew, a man in his 40s, said that he and his aunt had been arguing over a family matter and that she had waved a knife at him in a threatening manner in the kitchen, according to Lt. Randy Brandt of the SLPD.

The nephew said he didn’t want her arrested, but wanted the incident on record. The aunt said she had a butter knife in her hand, but denied threatening him with it.