The following is a summary of significant crime and incidents reported in Newark between March 10 and 16 as released by the Newark Police Department.
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
- Copper thieves wreck school property. Electrical wires connected to a portable classroom and the baseball-field snack bar were damaged at Newark Junior High School last week by thieves yanking copper wires. The theft was discovered at 9 a.m.
- No gun, but how about three warrants? An anonymous 11:40 a.m. call of gunshots heard from a room at the Comfort Inn ended in an arrest, but for nothing weapon-related. Police contacted the Newark man, 36, holed up in the room where gunfire was suspected. After speaking to police by phone, the man finally exited the room and consented to its search, which turned up no weapons or evidence of a firearm discharge. The individual was arrested, however, for three warrants.
- Gun buyback held. Details here.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
- Hit. Run. Ditch the car. An abandoned vehicle, discovered at 2:34 a.m. on Tenaya Avenue, turned out to be involved in an earlier hit-and-run collision in the area. The car was towed; investigation is underway.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
- DUI gets ugly. A Redwood city man, 26, arrested for suspected driving under the influence, became combative when it was time for his blood draw at Washington Hospital at 11:23 p.m. With assistance from the Fremont Police Department, the Newark officer eventually got the suspect under control and off to Santa Rita Jail, Dublin, where he was booked for DUI, driving without a license and interfering with police.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
- Nikes swooshed. A vehicle's window was smashed and five pairs of Nike shoes reportedly taken in a car break-in logged at 1:20 a.m. at NewPark Mall near Burlington Coat Factory. The incident occurred sometime overnight Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday.
- DUI on Thornton and Cherry. DUI arrest 9:49 p.m. on Thornton Avenue at Cherry Street of male, 33.
- Suspected teen shoplifter at JCPenney. A Newark male, 17, was released to his parents after being arrested 5:04 p.m. for suspected shoplifting at JCPenney.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12
- More sticky fingers at JCPenney. A Union City woman, 45, was cited for suspected shoplifting around 6:15 p.m. at JCPenney. Earlier, at 3:31 p.m. at the same retailer, two juveniles were arrested for petty theft and released to their parents.
- In like dogs. A burglar, or burglars, broke into a Spruce Street home through the doggie door, which led into the garage, and then proceeded to kick open a door leading into the house. Cash was taken in the break-in, which occurred between 9 a.m and 3 p.m.
- "Most Wanted Van." A 2000 Ford Econoline van was reported stolen at 11 a.m. from a Fremont street. The LoJack-equipped vehicle transmitted an alert at 1 p.m. from Central Avenue in Newark, but location attempts were unsuccessful. A subsequent alert at 3:30 p.m. led Newark officers to the van on Enea Common. Ford vans and work trucks are second to Hondas as the most popular vehicles stolen, according to area law enforcement.
MONDAY, MARCH 11
- No shirt, no shoes, no towel. A Fremont man, 32, was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of controlled substances after he walked naked into the lobby of the Motel 6 asking for a towel. Officers contacted the man in his room at 8:47 p.m., where he was placed under arrest and wearing pants.
- Copper wire swiped. A commercial burglary was reported at 6:44 p.m. on the 8400 block of Central Avenue, with a window broken to gain access, and copper wire and other items stolen.
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
- Attempted rape, assault at motel. A Chicago, Ill. man, 27, was arrested at 6:44 a.m. at Motel 6 for suspected forced oral copulation, attempted rape, assault, battery and false imprisonment of an unidentified female victim, who had visited his room. Detectives collected evidence at the scene.
- Gang tagging. Gang graffiti, suspected to be the work of Newark Norteno gang "YNL," was reported near Dusterberry Way and Hansen Avenue in Fremont.
Any person with information concerning these incidents is encouraged to call police on the non-emergency line (510) 578-4237. Information can also be left anonymously on the “silent witness” hotline, (510) 578-4000, ext. 500.
Follow the Newark Police Department at nixle.com.
