Crime Log: Two Arrests at Psychic Center (No One Saw That Coming?)

The following is a summary of significant crime and incidents reported in Newark between March 17 and 23 as released by the Newark Police Department.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

• Smokin' in the boys room? A patrol of Lincoln Elementary School at 4:57 p.m. turned up a Newark male, 20, reportedly in possession of marijuana. He was cited. 

• Burned by brother. Officers followed up on a 911 hang-up call placed 3:44 p.m. from a residence on the 6100 block of Cotton Avenue. The woman at the address told police that her brother, a Newark man, 30, had burned her with cooking oil. She was treated at the scene for her injuries.
  
• Psychic hide-out no match for science. A Newark man, 34, was arrested after police used a high-tech device to find him hiding in the attic of the Psychic Center. The suspect ran from a noon-time disturbance call at another location into the Thornton Avenue facility. Using a fire-department thermal imager, officers zeroed in on a "hot spot" in the ceiling, which turned out to be the wanted individual buried underneath insulation. The man was booked on warrants and resisting arrest.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

• Hello, is it me you're looking for?  A Newark man, 18, turned himself into police after learning that officers were seeking to arrest him for outstanding felony warrants. The suspect was booked at Santa Rita Jail, Dublin.  

• Knife brandished at Starbucks. A 53-year-old Newark man was arrested at 4:15 p.m. at Starbucks, on the 7300 block of Thornton Avenue, after reportedly making threats and waving a knife at customers and staff. Arriving officers, also threatened by the man, who still had the knife in hand, eventually subdued and apprehended the individual. His booking charges included assault with deadly weapon, resisting arrest and brandishing a weapon.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

• Burgle alert. A San Jose man, 22, was arrested at 1:55 p.m. at Macy's and booked at Santa Rita Jail, Dublin, for suspected burglary.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

• Presumed dealing. A probation search at 9:30 p.m. on the 6300 block of Zulmida Avenue ended with the arrest of a Newark male, 43, for suspected possession of methamphetamine for sale. Police say he was with six other individuals and had approximately 14 grams of meth and $900 in cash.

• Fremont teens arrested for burglarizing neighbor, stealing gun. Details here.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

• Bust-in at auto shop. Commercial burglary reported at 11:06 a.m. at Martin Auto Wholesale, on the 37300 block of Cedar Boulevard, resulted in a smashed window and stolen computers and a safe.

• Third bomb threat at Fremont school. Details here.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

• Psychic fail? A Newark man, 41, was arrested without incident by police at 10:39 a.m. at the Psychic Center on Thornton Avenue on a felony warrant for possession of stolen property. He was transported and booked into Santa Rita Jail, Dublin.

• Arrest at 31 Flavors. A Newark man, 24, was arrested for a suspected restraining-order violation at 7:09 p.m. in the Baskin-Robbins parking lot. Inside the suspect's car was a woman with whom he is barred from contacting.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

• Stealthy gas-siphoner. A drug-warrant arrest at 12:33 p.m. of a male, 33, led to additional counts of suspected burglary-tool possession when officers, during a search of the suspect's vehicle, uncovered a hidden gas-syphoning device made up of a hose and pump system built into the trunk and wheel-well. Police said the set-up allowed the man to steal gas virtually undetected.

• Gun buyback. Details here.

• Brazen copper heist in Fremont; suspects sought. Details here.  

Any person with any information concerning these incidents can contact the police on the non-emergency line at (510) 578-4237. Information can also be left anonymously on the “silent witness” hotline at (510) 578-4000, ext. 500.