Vehicle theft continues to plague the city
The City and the Alameda Police Department recently released their statistics for the month of October 2023. Data provided by APD shows that the rate of vehicle thefts have increased since last month by nearly 8% to 137. Of all the reports taken by the department during the month, vehicle theft was by far the most common complaint. Catalytic converter thefts saw an uptick as well. On a more positive note, officers recovered 153 vehicles that were stolen during the month and previous months, an increase of more than 45%.
[1]| May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Change Sept. – Oct. | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests | 78 | 79 | 81 | 51 | 70 | 90 | 20 | 28.57% |
| Collisions | 52 | 75 | 59 | 65 | 53 | 64 | 11 | 20.75% |
| Auto Thefts | 92 | 106 | 94 | 139 | 127 | 137 | 10 | 7.87% |
| Recovered Stolen Vehicles | 72 | 101 | 124 | 121 | 105 | 153 | 48 | 45.71% |
| Robberies | 8 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 13 | -3 | -18.75% |
| Catalytic Converter Thefts | 49 | 34 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 66.67% |
| Assaults | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Calls for Service | 5,962 | 5,936 | 6,209 | 6,334 | 5,651 | 5,544 | -107 | -1.89% |
| Reports Taken | 710 | 759 | 699 | 705 | 720 | 789 | 69 | 9.58% |
APD officers arrested 87 adults and three juveniles, for a total of 90, an increase of almost 30%. Thirty-eight of those arrests were for felony charges, while the other 52 were for misdemeanors and other minor infractions. The department reported ten DUIs, six drunk and disorderly persons, and one call for disturbing the peace. There were six reported assaults, the same number as reported during the previous month, while robberies dropped by almost 19% from 16 to 13. Automobile collision reports continue to see-saw up and down; this month they were up 20%.
Overall, calls for service were down by almost 2%, while reports taken climbed by almost 10%. APD stated that reported crimes appeared to be mostly focused on South Shore Center and the Webster Street corridor.
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During the month, the department posted about several incidents to their Facebook page [4]:
- Bank robbery arrest: On October 3, officers responded to the 2200 block of Otis Drive for the report of a possible bank robbery. Officers learned that an individual handed a teller a note demanding money while simulating being armed with a firearm. Out of concern for their safety and that of their patrons, the teller complied with the demands. Ultimately, officers located the suspect at a nearby business, where the suspect peacefully surrendered.
- Body found: On October 17, the Alameda Police Communications Center received the report of a possible person in the water near the base of the Bay Farm Island Bridge. Officers responded and confirmed the person was deceased. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau responded to the scene and began an investigation. The coroner identified the individual as Alameda resident Desiree “Lisa” Huey and notified family members.
- Attempted vehicle theft arrest: On August 26 officers responded to the 1100 block of College Avenue for the report of an attempted vehicle theft involving a firearm. As the suspect was leaving the scene, they pointed a firearm at one of the witnesses. During a review of the incident, a supervisor immediately recognized the subject as a known Alameda resident. After additional investigative work, an arrest warrant was granted. Earlier this month, the Oakland Police Department notified APD that the individual was taken into custody for a separate vehicle-related crime in their city. APD officers responded to the scene and formally arrested the individual in connection with the Alameda case.
- Armed robbery arrest: On October 24, APD, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, successfully arrested a subject in connection with an armed robbery that occurred in Alameda on September 30. The preliminary investigation suggested the victims may have been followed home prior to the incident. Through extensive investigative efforts, a subject was identified. Working collaboratively with the US Marshals and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, APD obtained search and arrest warrants which were served on October 23 in Oakland. Upon service, the subject peacefully surrendered, and the search resulted in the recovery of multiple firearms.
- Another armed robbery arrest: On October 23 at approximately 10 p.m., APD received a call regarding an armed robbery at a business in the South Shore Shopping Center. Investigating officers obtained video footage of the incident, which provided clear images of the suspect. Just after 4 a.m. the next day, officers located an individual who matched the description in the 2300 block of Lincoln Avenue. Upon contacting the individual, officers found a knife in their possession which matched the weapon brandished during the robbery. The suspect, identified as an Alameda woman, was taken into custody without incident. This investigation is ongoing as officers are reviewing another robbery from over the weekend that involved similar circumstances.
The City and APD make these and other statistics available on the Alameda Crime Activity page [5]of the City of Alameda website.
Adam Gillitt is the Publisher of the Alameda Post [6]. Reach him at [email protected] [7]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Adam-Gillitt [8].