Police Log: Scoundrels Steal Church Ladies' Bible, Bags & Knitting

The following are significant crime and incidents reported in Newark between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2 as released by the Newark Police Department.

Sunday, Feb. 2

• An at-risk juvenile runaway, thought to be somewhere in Newark, was reported at 7:22 p.m. by Child Protective Services. After significant hours of investigation, the male juvenile was located and transported to the assessment center in Hayward

• A hit-and-run reported at 10:30 a.m. along the 35700 block of Bettencourt Street involved an unknown vehicle hitting a black 2011 Mazda parked in front of a home.

• Cyclist arrested for meth and more. As police investigated four auto burglaries at 11:53 p.m. in the Mehran Restaurant parking lot, one officer spotted and attempted to stop a suspicious subject riding a bicycle in the area. The subject fled discarding a glass methamphetamine pipe and a small plastic case containing meth, but eventually lost control of his bicycle and went over the handlebars in front of Togo’s. The bicyclist, a transient man, 34, was arrested for resisting, possession of meth and paraphernalia, and destruction of evidence. 

• Newark Man Arrested After Firing Multiple Gun Shots Inside the El Camino Real Bar in Fremont.

• Three shoplifters were caught in two separate incidents: a Newark woman, 43, at 11 a.m. at Mi Pueblo store on Newark Boulevard; and at 12:34 p.m., two Fremont individuals, 31 and 57, at Macy’s. 

• Fight at Pavilion. At 7 p.m., police were called to a large fight at the small hall at Newark Pavilion. Most of the participants fled upon hearing the sirens from police vehicles and left behind significant amounts of broken glass and beer cans in the parking lot. One woman sustained a minor injury from a fall and was treated at the scene by Fire Department personnel.

• Police Warn Residents of IRS Phone Scam.

• K-9 cop gets his man! Police were called at 11:20 p.m. to Willow Street and Enterprise Drive where vehicles were recklessly "spinning donuts." An arriving officer spotted a sedan “black out” and drive into the Poplar Street and Juniper Avenue neighborhood, followed and saw two individuals in hooded sweatshirts flee on foot into the rear yard of a residence on the 8100 block of Juniper. A perimeter was set and a search with K-9 Officer Ares began after homeowners confirmed no one had permission to be in their yard. After numerous K-9 announcements, the backyard was searched and cleared. Another Juniper resident, meanwhile, reported noises coming from their backyard, and a search began there with K-9 announcements getting no response. Shortly thereafter, Ares found and apprehended a male, 24 from San Jose, hiding in the yard. He was taken into custody, with Ares' assistance, and arrested for his felony warrant from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office for auto theft and possessing burglary tools. ALCO Fire and Paramedics Plus responded to treat his injuries. The second suspect got away. 

• A white, 1997 Nissan Maxima (Ca. license 7BAZ592) was stolen overnight from the 35400 block of Dumbarton Court.

• A stolen F250 pickup and container trailer, from the 6100 block of Guava Drive, was tracked through its onboard GPS and located unoccupied on Filbert Street. 

• A front door was kicked in at a home on Zulmida Avenue by burglars who made off with electronics and jewelry.

• Drunken gal causes problems. A disturbance at Jacques Cafe & Lounge at 4:41 p.m. ended with a woman, 30, being arrested for public intoxication. 

• Three car break-ins at churches. At 8:35 p.m., a vehicular burglary was reported on Thornton Avenue at St. Edward Catholic Church. The victim had her vehicle’s window smashed and her bible and bible tote bag stolen. And at 8:46 p.m. on Newark Boulevard at First Presbyterian Church, two cars had their rear windows smashed and items taken. One victim lost three reusable shopping bags, while the other lost her knitting kit and bag. 

• Snoozing with switchblade. A Newark probationer, 58, was arrested at 8:45 p.m. for possession of a switchblade knife after police found him sleeping in his vehicle near Parada Street.

• Smash-'n'-grab. A woman's Mac Book, left in the back seat of her 1986 Mercedes, was stolen while she shopped at Beauty World on Newpark Mall Road by burglars who smashed the car's window at 10:24 p.m.

• Wanted on warrant. A Newark man, 30, wanted on a felony warrant for vehicular manslaughter was arrested after a warrant service at 7:45 p.m. at a home on Harley Street.

• Stolen SUV torched. A 2007 GMC Arcadia, reported stolen out of Redwood City, was found completely burned in Newark at 1:24 a.m. 

• Drunk near tracks. Police were called at 10:39 a.m. to the railroad tracks near Mowry Avenue, where an intoxicated male, 41, was located and arrested for public intoxication. 

• Stickup at vet clinic. Shortly after noon, two black males in black hoodies, one armed with a semi-automatic handgun, robbed Luv My Pet, 37350 Cedar Blvd. Police received three different calls regarding the armed robbery. Employees were able to escape, and officers were on scene within a minute of the original call. The suspects fled, however, and, despite a K-9 search, were not located. Loss was cash.