Crime Log: Did NewPark's Undies-Thievin' Mob Hit Pleasanton? Plus, Don't Tell Cop to 'Talk to The Hand'

The following is a summary of significant crime and incidents reported in Newark between April 14 to 20 as released by the Newark Police Department.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

• Chabot Increases Security After Bomb Threat: Read more here.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

• Newark Man Helps Victims of Boston Marathon Attacks: Story here.
• Union City Man Wanted in Modesto Attempted Murder Case: Details here.
• Alameda County Sheriff's in Castro Valley. Female also struck, injured; arrested on drug charges.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

• Private eyes ... they're watching you ... so watch it. Neighbors on Port Fogwood Place have joined to make their community safer with a Neighborhood Watch. Such groups are created with the Newark Police Department. If you would like to start a Neighborhood Watch in your area, contact Tim Jones, Special Assistant Community Engagement Division at (510) 578-4209 or email tim.jones@newark.org. 

• Lingerie-stealin' flash mob? A gang of nine -- eight women and one man  -- zoomed into Victoria's Secret at 8:30 p.m. opened bags and purses and proceeded to empty multiple display racks within seconds and fled. NewPark Mall security was alerted. After being spotted by guards, some of the thieving crew ran back inside the store and returned goods they had just stolen. Yet, all individuals fled prior to police arrival. (Is this the same bra-stealin' mob that hit a Pleasanton Victoria's Secret two days later? Story will be posted here on April 23.) 

• Hands off loss-preventers. An Oakland man, 35, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. for alleged robbery after shoplifting from Sears at NewPark Mall, and then assaulting the loss-prevention agent who tried to stop him as he fled with the merchandise. The suspect was located in the nearby BJ’s restaurant parking lot. (To read about another mall security guard who went the extra mile -- or in this case two miles -- click here.)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

• Transformer explodes. An electrical transformer exploded at 2:35 p.m. on Baine Avenue causing numerous signals lights to go dark in the northern part of the city. Officers, along with R.A.V.E.Ns, controlled the intersections until power was restored a short time later.  

• Hey! Stop! Hey! Shortly after 4 a.m., corporate security on the 7100 block of Gateway Boulevard, spotted and yelled at two suspects in a full-size, white, four-door Chevrolet pickup, with four yellow lights on the roof, after observing the suspicious vehicle and occupants pull open a gate to a chain- linked, fenced area. Security later found missing electronic equipment, copper cables and wires.

•  Four arrested in brutal attack to “deface” Bollywood promoter’s ex-wife: Read more here.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

• Come one, come all to Warrant City! Numerous arrests for outstanding warrants were made, including: a Fremont man, 24, at 10:58 a.m. during a traffic stop, who was cited and released for outstanding warrants; at 1:32 p.m. at the Thornton Avenue Psychic Center of a male, 37, for outstanding warrants; a Union City woman, 34, arrested during a traffic stop for her outstanding warrants; and in the parking lot at Motel 6 at 5:23 p.m. of a Castro Valley female, 30, for several warrants.

MONDAY, APRIL 15

• Yeah, I, um, like, yeah, cut off my ankle thing. A 15-year-old Hayward juvenile self-surrendered at 10:28 p.m. to officers admitting he removed his court-ordered GPS ankle monitor. Police transported the teen to Juvenile Hall. 

• Nicotine patch not working? A window was smashed at 2:29 a.m. at Oliveira’s Liquors on the 5600 block of Thornton Avenue. The reported loss ... cigarettes. 

• Not the hand! Units were dispatched at 12:13 p.m. to Arbeau Drive regarding a verbal argument, and upon arrival, contacted one of the parties, a 25-year-old man, who decided to raise his hand in anger towards one of the officers. The man was arrested for alleged police obstruction.

• Fremont-Branded Battery Found in Boston Marathon Explosive: Story here.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

• One sweet app. A cellphone -- equipped with a "Find-My-Phone" application -- went missing from a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. Officers tracking the device at 11:17 p.m. found the app put the location of the phone in between two houses on Cotton Avenue. A parole search at one of the residences resulted in the arrest of a Newark male, 32, for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a parole violation. And the missing phone ... was located next door.

Anyone with information about crimes in Newark is asked to call Newark Police non-emergency line at (510) 578-4237 or the Silent Witness Hotline at (510) 578-4000, ext. 500.