Creek Police Beat: Thieves targeting a gas tank, a leaf blower and baby formula

Here's what people were calling the police about Friday, May 13 to Thursday May 19.

Friday, May 13

Not, very lady-like. A cab driver reported that two females refused to pay cab fare at 12:59 a.m. on the 1500 of Locust Street.

Not what you think: A caller was concerned about a man walking on Newell Avenue at about 8:22 a.m. who had tools in his back pockets. The man was actually a city worker who was fixing the push button for the cross walk.

Kudos to the citizen who found a wallet downtown. It was picked up by its rightful owner later on at the police station. Job well done!

Friday the 13th was alive in well in Creek Diva's 'hood! A massive eucalyptus tree fell on some of her neighbor’s decks and patios overnight. Our trusty maintenance man Wayne and the city arborist helped out with the logistics of removing the tree and branches safely.

Three young men were arrested on suspicion of trespassing when they were in the backyard of a home on Mendota Court at 12:40p.m.

To the kids who were throwing things at cars passing by Arbolado Park, perhaps one of you was the busted on Sunday for throwing things at cars in a nearby neighborhood? 

Saturday, May 14

It’s Art on the Main time, so what does that mean, motorists?An astounding eight cars were towed in one hour to make room for vendors to set up for the annual event.

Disturbing: A resident who lives on the 1800 block of Alma Avenue phoned police after finding a syringe in his yard. Apparently there was a large party the previous evening and it’s “an ongoing problem." A man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of being in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

This desperate for gas? A U-Haul parked behind a Postal Annex store on the 1800 block of Ygnacio Valley Road had a hose attached to its gas tank. It appears that someone has been syphoning gas from the truck and it has been an ongoing issue at that location.

Grounded! Police stopped four juveniles in a car after one allegedly shot a passenger in the back seat with a pellet gun.

Sunday, May 15

If you can’t find it… grind it! A man was trying to learn how to drive a stick shift at 1a.m. in a parking garage downtown.

A door to Yoga Works on Locust Street was accidentally left unlocked. Luckily there were “no signs of disturbance inside." 

Fire this boss: Two men blocked a parking spot with debris in the 1500 block of Locust Street so their boss would be able to park when he returned from running errands. The debris was moved.

Kudos to the citizen who found a credit card in Broadway Plaza. It was returned to its rightful owner that same day.

This thief was having a barbecue? A "meat ‘n’ dash" occurred this afternoon at the Safeway in the Encina Grade Shopping Center.  Some $322 worth of meat was stolen by someone driving a 1987 White Toyota truck with the license plate 8U60372.

A Trek bicycle was found behind the downtown library. It was booked into found property at the police station.

Monday, May 16

Huge haul: A car was broken into on the 500 block of N. Civic Drive. The loss? Two large cases containing $150,000 in medical equipment.

An unlocked car parked on Lisboa Court was broken into over the weekend. The burglar stole some change and a FasTrak pass. That pass was subsequently used on the San Mateo Bridge at 6:53 a.m. 

To the kids who were burning cardboard near Valle Verde Elementary, knock it off.

Someone broke into a home on Park Lake Circle and left with a television, jewelry and computer.

Tuesday, May 17

Kudos to a taxi driver who reported a found piece of luggage in a cab this afternoon. The owner was able to pick it up at the police department

Two females stole baby formula at a store on Bancroft Road close to midnight. The getaway car was also described as an older sedan license plate with the license plate number 4ETE678. Ladies, if you need help with formula please call the Bay Area Crisis Nursery (925) 685-8052.

Wednesday, May 18

A 12-foot cargo trailer was stolen overnight on the 200 block of Sierra Drive; its contents were valued at more than $30,000. No description of the suspect at this time.

Flying fruit. An unknown person threw a watermelon at a Gold Nissan Maxima that was parked on Dapplegray Lane. The driver’s side rear was damaged.


Did you read Patch’s last week? A Rossmoor couple  almost fell victim of the “Grandson in Jail” scam, until they realized their grandson was safe and not in custody anywhere. Please take the time to email or print out Patch’s article and share it with your family and friends.

Thursday, May 19

Phony money: A man attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at a bank on the 1100 block of S. California Blvd. The bank has a video of the suspect and turned it over to the U.S. Secret Service.

Starting a landscaping business? Someone stole a leaf blower and weed wacker from a home on Camino Verde. The thief appears to have been driving a blue Toyota 4-Runner license plate number 5YCZ550.