Crime & Safety
Creek Police Beat: Partiers, Pilferers and Pineapples
Patch's ace Police Beat writer reads WCPD's bulletin every day—so you don't have to. Here, she summarizes a week's worth of crime trends, as well as the sometimes bad, sad, annoying and silly things that keep officers busy.
Here's what people were calling Walnut Creek police about Jan. 23-Jan. 29.
Sunday, Jan. 23
Sisters' spat: Sisterly love got a little too loud for one neighbor on Westcliffe Lane at 12:26 a.m., who reported hearing “banging and hitting things for the past 30 minutes.” Police contacted the sisters, who were “arguing over a friend and agreed to go to sleep.”
No valuables in vehicles: A truck parked on the 2100 block of N. Main Street was burglarized shortly after midnight. A Coach purse, cell phone and $120 cash were stolen.
A loud night: Party animals across town from Corrie and Carmel lanes and Walnut Boulevard were told to pipe down or be cited. In one case, a resident on Walnut Boulevard was issued a written noise violation warning.
For real? At closing time, 2 a.m. at a bar on Locust Street, a patron phoned police about “bartenders who are constantly harassing her.” Police advised the patron.
Late-night trouble: Five cars were broken into on the 300 block of N. Civic Drive overnight.
That's low: To the jerk who stole the handicap placard from a black Cayenne on Gladwin Drive, please return it.
Pricey purse lifted: A $695 pink handbag was stolen from a business on the 1300 block of N. Main Street at 4:46 p.m.
Substance arrest: A man was arrested on Sunnyvale Avenue at 6:07 p.m. on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance (Oxycontin).
Monday, Jan. 24
At what time? A leaf blower was apparently being run at 12:20 a.m. on Tice Valley Boulevard.
Plate stolen: A rear license plate — 4YNS390 — was stolen from a black Mitsubishi Eclipse on Beacon Ridge Lane.
Creek Diva's plea: Reason number #2816 to ban solicitation in Walnut Creek. A man phoned police to report that a woman knocked on his door and would not tell the resident why she was there. The solicitor was warned about soliciting without a permit. Enough is enough already!
Car part's a winner: A hot ticket item for theft in this town is by far catalytic converters. A Toyota 4Runner was the latest victim on the 200 block of N. Civic Drive.
Senior scam: Sadly, another senior was victim to the “my grandson is in jail” scam that has been occurring a lot lately. This time, a person wired $8,400 via Western Union to an unknown subject posing as the grandson.
Dos kudos! First, for the person who handed over an earring found downtown on a meter. Second, for the person who turned in a wallet that was left behind at a gas station.
Prickly pineapple: A firecracker in a “fake plastic pineapple grenade case” was found on Locust Street this afternoon.
Tuesday, Jan. 25
Black SUV vs. construction trailer: After an accident involving the two on Arbolado Drive, a man was arrested at the scene at 2:40 a.m. on a charge of driving under the influence.
False alarm: A “silver Mylar package with black strapping, around 3 inches long, with the “Bomb” written on it” was found near the parking lot of Buena Vista Elementary School. The would-be explosive device turned out to be a hoax. Read Patch's story on the incident.
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A disturbing trend: Creek Diva’s written about a fair share of car burglaries lately in several parking garages downtown. A car parked on Duncan Street was broken into as was another car parked in the Locust Street garage. Keep your valuables out of sight, folks.
The case of the missing bottle: A patron at a local watering hole was upset about a missing bottle of Jameson but left without incident after being advised by the police.
Wednesday, Jan. 26
Quite a find: A caller phoned police after finding an abandoned BMW motorcycle in the canal near Homestead Avenue.
Mom's gun: A woman gave her late mother's revolver to police to have it safely disposed of.
Terrifying tale: A toddler apparently ran out of his day-care facility on Buena Vista Avenue and Putnam Boulevard at 12:57 p.m. The caller “picked up the toddler and returned him to the day-care center.” The owner of the day care was spoken to. Glad the tot was OK.
Security flaw: A home on Chucker Court was broken into via an open garage door in the afternoon. Jewelry was stolen.
Naughty list: A female juvenile was seen racing in a white mini van on Ygnacio Valley Road and Oak Grove Road this afternoon. The police phoned the girl's father, who said he “will counsel his daughter.”
Funny money: A man sold his cell phone to someone who paid him in counterfeit $100 bills this afternoon at Broadway Plaza.
Thursday, Jan. 27
Unwelcome visitor: A resident crashed through a home and garage on Shady Lane at 2:38 p.m.
Downtown raceway: Reckless drivers were reported downtown this afternoon. Slow down, people.
Cyclist unscathed: It was a Toyota Highlander vs. a cyclist on Oakland Boulevard this afternoon. Luckily ,the cyclist was not injured.
Crime doesn't pay: To the jerk who stole bicycle handlebars and a tire on Locust Street, smile. You were filmed committing a crime.
Spousal threat: A man was arrested on suspicion of assault after his wife phoned police saying he was “trying to kill her.” If you or someone you know needs help with domestic-violence issues, visit www.standagainstdv.org/take_stand.php.
Friday, Jan. 28
Don't go there: A man was seen urinating “on the Police Department” at 1:35 a.m. When police stopped him, he was cited on charges of being in possession of marijuana and fireworks.
A kind act: Kudos to the fine citizens who helped an elderly woman who fell near Dan’s Bar this morning. You did the right thing.
Friends don't let friends ... A big thank you to the man behind the wheel of a white Hummer who was seen driving two intoxicated friends home from a downtown watering hole.
Saturday, Jan. 29
Choking charge: A patron who was at Redux on Locust Street at 12:41 a.m. claimed he was choked by security at the establishment. The case is being sent to the DA for further review.
Repeat offender: The partier on Carmel Drive was warned again about noise at 3:28 a.m. Maybe it’s time to move to a place where you don’t have neighbors, Mr. Party Animal?
Ask and ye shall receive: Two females were seen stealing a pregnancy test at a store on Ygnacio Valley Road. FYI, Planned Parenthood Walnut Creek offers free testing: www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=2571
Uncivil and uncalled for: A customer threw perfume on a Nordstrom employee who could not complete a return transaction.
