When reviewing the most recent crime statistics released by the Alameda Police Department (APD), there is a noticeable downward trend in the crime on most of Alamedans’ minds—vehicle theft. At the beginning of 2024, the department received more than 100 reports of thefts per month, peaking in February at 123. After a low of 74 in April, numbers have stayed down, with 87 vehicle theft reports in June. Conversely, although catalytic converter thefts continue to be far lower than they were at this time last year, there were 12 reports in June, more than double the January figures.
Two areas where APD numbers have climbed are arrests, which were up almost 15% in the first half of the year, and reports of traffic collisions, which rose nearly 50% from January to June. Robberies and aggravated assault reports remained level for the first six months of the year, with five to 10 reports of each per month.
Despite the drop since the beginning of the year, vehicle thefts remained the most reported crime in June 2024, with 87 reports, followed by shoplifting (61 reports), theft from a motor vehicle (50), and simple assault (49). Among 96 people arrested during the month of June, five were juveniles, and the rest were adults. Slightly less than half of the arrests (43) were for felony charges, while the remaining 53 were for misdemeanors, infractions, or other offenses.
| Jan. 24 | Feb. 24 | Mar. 24 | Apr. 24 | May 24 | Jun. 24 | Change May – Jun. | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 84 | 71 | 114 | 91 | 94 | 96 | 2 | 2.13% |
| Collisions | 48 | 66 | 69 | 72 | 67 | 71 | 4 | 5.56% |
| Auto Thefts | 114 | 123 | 94 | 74 | 98 | 87 | -11 | -14.86% |
| Recovered Stolen Vehicles | 109 | 107 | 99 | 83 | 94 | 90 | -4 | -4.82% |
| Robberies | 5 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 0 | — |
| Catalytic Converter Thefts | 5 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 26.67% |
| Assaults | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 0 | — |
| Calls for Service | 5,301 | 5,234 | 5,468 | 5,621 | 5,625 | 5,713 | 88 | 1.57% |
| Reports Taken | 734 | 717 | 700 | 637 | 707 | 655 | -52 | -8.16% |
APD June 2024 Notable incidents
The Department also called attention to several notable incidents during the month of June:
Stolen Merchandise Recovered: With information provided by the loss prevention team at the Old Navy store located at Alameda’s South Shore shopping center, Alameda Police, together with San Leandro PD and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, recovered nearly $1,600 in stolen merchandise and arrested the person suspected of the thefts.
Trailer, Credit Cards, IDs, and Phones Recovered: Over several weeks in June, APD officers conducted warrant sweeps throughout the city. During one of the sweeps, officers located a trailer that was previously reported stolen from the City of Alameda. The trailer was unoccupied when located, but contained nearly 200 stolen credit cards, identity documents, and cell phones. The trailer was processed by crime scene technicians and returned to its rightful owner, and officers are working to return other stolen property. The trailer was believed to have been used by an individual with arrest warrants, but that individual remains at large.
Narcotics Seized: On June 18, an officer encountered a vehicle parked on the sidewalk of Shore Line Drive. The vehicle was still running, but the driver was unresponsive, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. When officers inspected the car, they found significant amounts of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, Xanax, marijuana, and kief/kush (marijuana) cookies. Large sums of cash, a scale, baggies, and a weapon were also found in the vehicle. The driver was ultimately arrested for DUI, possession of narcotics for sale, and other offenses.
BFI Bridge Incident: On the afternoon of June 19, APD officers responded to calls of a driver blocking the Bay Farm Island bridge. When officers arrived, they found the driver standing on the ledge of the bridge. Despite efforts by the CARE team and EBRPD’s Police air support team, the driver entered the water. Officers deployed life rings and entered the water to rescue the driver. Once back on land, both APD and Alameda Fire rendered aid. The driver was transported to a local hospital but did not survive. No further details are being shared out of respect for the family.
Strong-Arm Robbery Led to Arrests: On June 8, Alameda PD responded to a strong-arm robbery in the 1300 block of Marina Village Parkway. Officers learned that the victim had chased after a suspect who was seen removing items from the victim’s vehicle. The suspect dropped the items, and as the victim attempted to recover their belongings, a second suspect struck the victim and fled with the items.
On June 18, the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and members of APD executed arrest and search warrants at the suspects’ residence in the City of Hayward. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office also provided drone support. Both suspects were located, and one was taken into custody for their involvement. The case has been referred to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. While serving the warrants related to the June 8 robbery, officers arrested two other individuals at the residence. One individual was arrested for warrants stemming from a 2023 Alameda case and a 2022 Oakland case. The second individual was a convicted felon in possession of narcotics and a firearm.
Carjacking Arrest: On the afternoon of June 26, three victims were carjacked on the 2800 block of Central Avenue. Two individuals approached the vehicle and ordered the occupants to vacate at gunpoint, while a third waited in a car. With the cooperation of other agencies, real-time tracking technology, and Oakland PD’s air support team, the suspects were tracked into San Francisco. After the suspects lost control of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, all three were arrested and a firearm was recovered—within an hour of the crime occurring.
A complete monthly summary of Alameda Police data can be found online at the Alameda Crime Activity page.
Breast Cancer Patch
Alameda Police are supporting the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation by selling limited edition pink APD patches for $10 apiece. You can get yours from the front counter at APD headquarters on Oak Street.
Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt.
