Vehicle theft reports remained low in Alameda during the month of September, with four fewer reports than the previous month. According to the latest Alameda Police Department statistics released this week by the City, the total of 56 reports of vehicle theft in September represents the lowest total since the Alameda Post began tracking the City’s crime statistics. A year ago, in September 2023, APD recorded 127 vehicle theft reports, more than 225% over the current number. The total number of recovered stolen vehicles also dropped considerably from August, to a low of 49.
On the roads, APD officers issued 236 traffic citations and 80 warnings. There were seven DUI arrests and 64 collisions, down from 75 the previous month. Catalytic converter thefts were up by 50%, with 18 reports during the month.
APD made 86 total arrests in September, six more than the previous month, with only one juvenile arrest. Fifteen of the arrests were for felonies, and the rest were misdemeanors, infractions, and other offenses. Overall, calls for service dropped by 50 from the previous month.
Aggravated assault reports were down by nearly 50% from August, but robberies doubled. Reports of shoplifting increased from 53 to 85, but vandalism reports dipped from 40 to 34. A total of 27 drug/narcotic and equipment violations were listed, down from 31 the month before.
APD listed one report each of kidnapping/abduction, embezzlement, and extortion/blackmail. Two reports of animal cruelty and arson were recorded, while there were no reports of forcible rape, homicide, fugitive offenses, immigration violations, human trafficking, prostitution, pornography, or gambling.
| Sep. 23 | Apr. 24 | May 24 | Jun. 24 | Jul. 24 | Aug. 24 | Sep. 24 | Change Aug. – Sep. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 70 | 91 | 94 | 96 | 89 | 80 | 86 | 6 | 7.50% |
| Collisions | 53 | 72 | 67 | 71 | 59 | 75 | 64 | -11 | -14.67% |
| Auto Thefts | 127 | 74 | 98 | 87 | 106 | 60 | 56 | -4 | -6.67% |
| Recovered Stolen Vehicles | 105 | 83 | 94 | 90 | 93 | 82 | 49 | -33 | -40.24% |
| Robberies | 16 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 100.00% |
| Catalytic Converter Thefts | 6 | 15 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 12 | 18 | 6 | 50.00% |
| Assaults | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 7 | -6 | -46.15% |
| Calls for Service | 5,651 | 5,621 | 5,625 | 5,713 | 6,224 | 6,025 | 5,975 | -50 | -0.83% |
| Reports Taken | 720 | 637 | 707 | 655 | 702 | 625 | 616 | -9 | -1.44% |
The following incidents represent a selection of the police activity that took place last month:
Warrant arrest: On September 2 at 6:30 p.m., an officer responding to an incident on Otis Drive observed an unaffiliated party inside of a business with a firearm partially concealed in their waistband. When the officer contacted the individual and determined they had warrants, the individual was subsequently arrested.
Warrant arrest: Before dawn on September 3, officers were called to the intersection of Park Street and Lincoln Avenue for the report of an individual swinging a baseball bat at passing cars. When APD arrived on the scene, the individual placed the bat on the ground. They were determined to have a warrant and were subsequently arrested. No injuries were reported.
Armed robbery: On the evening of September 9, APD officers were called to the 2600 block of Fifth Street for the report of a robbery involving a knife. Two days later, on September 11, the subject was located and arrested with the assistance of an outside agency.
Burglary: On the morning of September 24, officers were called to the 900 block of Otis Drive for the report of a burglary in progress. When officers arrived, the suspect had already left the scene. At that time, witnesses provided images of the suspect. Shortly after noon that same day, officers were called to the South Shore Shopping Center for a report of a fight. When officers arrived, they recognized one of those involved as the individual from that morning’s burglary, and the individual was subsequently arrested.
Warrant arrest: Shortly after midnight on September 24, an officer observed a vehicle speeding on Park Street. When the officer executed a traffic stop, the driver was determined to have a warrant, and an unsecured firearm was discovered in the vehicle. The driver was arrested without incident, while two minor passengers were transported to a family member’s home.
A complete monthly summary of Alameda Police data can be found online at the Alameda Crime Activity page.
Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt.
