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This report is prepared by the Chief of Police for use by the various Homeowners Associations, Business and Neighborhood Groups within the
City of Lafayette. The purpose of the report is to inform residents on the criminal activity in the City.
The City of Lafayette Police Department
HOA Crime Report
April 2015
Auto-Related Crimes (Year to Date Comparison)
Stopping Auto Burglaries
It always has to be the morning that you're running late. You
come out of the house, car keys in hand, ready to start the drive
to work. You get into the car and immediately notice it's cold
inside. Your attention is immediately drawn to the open center
console - you know you closed that last night. Then you look at
the glove box, it's open and the contents are strewn onto the
floorboard below. That's odd, you say to yourself as you close
the driver's side door. After your door closes, you hear the sound
that you'll remember for the rest of your life. The sound of what
used to be the glass from your rear passenger-side window falling
to the ground. You slump your head, realizing someone broke
into the car last night. There goes the day, call the police to make
the report, call the insurance company to make the claim, and
then get the glass replaced. It's a problem that is going to take at
least one full day to resolve. Not what you really needed.
Then, the internal questions begin. What did you leave in the car
last night? What did they get? Did I leave the laptop in the car?
Where is the spare set of keys for the car? Where is the garage
door opener? Why would they take the registration for the car?
How long will it take to get the window fixed? Will this have an
effect my insurance rate if I make a claim? Will they come back?
Then the most painful question of all, Why me ? Two seconds of
laziness the night before will likely have a significant impact on
the rest of your day. If the crook sells the personal data they got
from your car, this can take months to resolve. This is how it
normally plays out, several times a week for someone in the city.
Auto-related crimes are on the rise in the city. Whether it be
someone breaking into a locked car to take something (burglary),
smashing a window to find an empty backpack the crooks leave
behind (vandalism), or going through the neighborhood to find
unlocked car doors and stealing the loose change from the
ashtray (petty theft from vehicle) - we are currently experiencing
an increase in all of these types of crimes within our community.
Lafayette Auto Burglaries 2014 - Present
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Crime
YTD
2015
30
5
29
10
Auto Burglary (PC 459)
Grand Theft from Vehicle (PC 487)
Petty Theft from Vehicle (PC 488)
Stolen Vehicle (CVC 10851)
YTD
2014
27
4
14
4
%
Change
+ 11%
+ 25%
+ 109%
+ 150%
What are they looking for?
Every time a crook does a crime, there is a chance they will be
caught. They know that. It's the old risk-versus-reward debate
and they have it at your car door at three in the morning. Is the
possible reward worth the risk of getting caught? With their mini
flashlight in hand, they peer through the window of the car to see
what you left in the back seat. The most common item they find
is the backpack. Generally, it's on the floorboard of the rear seat
and it looks filled. Now it may be filled with old school books, gym
clothes, or just a pair of dirty socks (that's why you left it there).
However, the crook thinks it may contain cash, a laptop, and
maybe even some prescription drugs. There's only one way to
know, open up the treasure chest to see what can be found. Like
the gambler who pulls the arm of the slot machine, sometimes
you hit the jackpot and sometimes you lose.
A resident left their
purse and telephone
inside their car while
they ran quickly in for
groceries. The crime
occurred in the middle
of the day, in a filled
parking lot.
Why this car? A purse
left in plain sight.
But I didn't hear any glass breaking last night...
Over time, crooks have gotten much better at their craft.
Manufacturers have made the task of breaking a car window
easy. Today, the auto burglar typically uses a small device they
keep on their keychain to break out the window of the car. This
type of punch is typically sold at hardware stores, like ours
downtown. The device is about three inches long, which makes
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it easy for the crook to hide. The devices are so easy to carry,
several of our officers carry them while they are on duty. Lock the
punch back, put it against the window, release the punch, and
watch the glass fall to the ground. Often times, the only sound a
crook will make while breaking the window will be the sound of
the glass falling inside the door itself. It's likely no one will hear
the crime being perpetrated.
This is a window punch that
is sold as an emergency
escape tool. It was dropped
by an burglary suspect
when contacted by police.
The device is approximately
three inches in length.
How can I protect my car?
This is the really easy part. You don't need to buy bullet resistant
glass. You don't need to install a high-end alarm system. All you
need to do is remove items that could be perceived by a crook to
have value. You've made it home, put the GPS in the glove
compartment so it can't be seen. The laptop and backpack either
need to go into the trunk or into the house with you. A briefcase
is a tempting treat for a crook, get it out of sight or take it into the
house with you. If you are going to the reservoir for a walk, put
your wallet in your trunk when you leave your house. By putting
the items in the trunk before you arrive at your next destination,
no one will see you put them there - making them a target.
Insight from an Auto Burglar
We recently had a series of auto burglaries in the downtown area.
On the first night, the crooks got into a parking lot for one of our
local restaurants. The crooks snuck into the lot and selected two
vehicles that had items left within them. In the first car, they
found a briefcase. Put the punch on the window, push on it and
the glass fell to the ground. A quick reach inside the car liberated
the briefcase. While returning to the get-away car with their loot,
they spot a second tempting car. Break the window, reach inside,
remove the backpack. The crooks then returned to their car to
make their escape. While driving back home, they examined their
ill-gotten gains. From the backpack, a jackpot. The owner had
left three thousand dollars in cash inside the backpack. From the
briefcase, a laptop and a wallet filled with credit cards and cash.
As they drove toward Oakland, the crooks threw the briefcase
and the backpack out of the car while inside the tunnel. "Keep
nothing the cops can trace back to the crime" they said.
After the rewards of the night, the group returned the next night to
try their luck a second time - at the same spot. They returned not
only to the same lot, but at the exact same time of night. Several
more broken windows and several more items stolen. More
debris found in the tunnel headed toward Oakland.
What the group didn't count on was that the property owner had
installed video cameras covering the parking lot. After the first
night, the property owner provided images of the crimes, the
crooks, and a license plate for the suspect vehicle. After the
second night, the property owner provided the same information identifying that it was the same crooks, driving a different car.
When the crooks returned the third night, officers had the license
plate numbers and description of their vehicles. The business
was also prepared for their return. When the car came into the
parking lot, officers were notified immediately. A short time later,
the car was stopped and three subjects detained. Sure enough,
they were found with a window punch and matched the
description of the suspects who committed the prior burglaries.
Clothing is
now becoming
a target for
auto burglars.
Clothing can
be sold for
cash or traded
for other
goods.
Things that deter auto burglars
In our residential areas, most of our auto crimes occur during the
night. Auto burglars really like working in the darkness, where
they can work without attention. To stop this, park your car in
your driveway and install a motion-activated light. The light will
likely scare the crook away from your car. These types of crooks
don't want a confrontation, they just want to fade away into the
night. When at work, park near other cars in an active place. If
the parking lot has security cameras, park near them. If you own
a business, we are more than happy to help you to better protect
your property and your customers. Several of our downtown
businesses have recently installed camera systems that have
already proven to be very effective in helping us to catch the
crooks.
Clothing is quickly becoming a favored item for these types of
thieves. That leather jacket needs to come in at night.
PLEASE !!!
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At midnight, investigators began their interviews of the suspects.
One of them gave great insight about their crimes. "This was the
second time I came out with the others. I watched as they came
home every night with thousands of dollars in cash. I work two
jobs and never came home with that kind of money." The crook
told us the others had been stealing from cars in Lamorinda for
months. They only targeted cars in Lafayette and Orinda - where
people leave "crazy" things in their cars. They were hunting for
cash and credit cards. Electronics were quickly sold for whatever
they could get that night to get rid of them - as the cops can track
them. Anything that has no value is just thrown out the window of
the car.
Their car impounded by the police department, two of the
suspects were charged
with numerous felonies by
the
District
Attorney's
Office. The third suspect
(the pregnant girlfriend of
one of the suspects) was
released after several days
in jail when no charges
were filed. She was the
registered owner of the car,
which she has now lost.
LOCK YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS
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Is it better to just leave my car unlocked?
Some believe it is just better to just leave their cars unlocked at
night - with the idea that if someone wants inside, they won't
break a window to get what they want. While it may seem to be a
smart thing, it assumes that you decrease your probability of
being the victim of a crime because you leave your car unlocked.
Experience tells us that this tactic actually increases the
probability of you being a victim of some type of crime. It's not
odd for us to have groups of individuals moving through
neighborhoods who are looking for an easy score. When they
find an unlocked vehicle, they enter the car and take the
valuables they can find. For these groups. if they find the car
locked, they go to the next one. Locking your car does have
value in reducing the probability of being a victim of crime.
Sometimes these crooks get lucky and find the keys to the car
inside as well. Yes, people in our community do leave their cars
unlocked and the keys
What are the crooks looking for
to the car in the ignition.
in your car?
Traditionally, we have a
- Cell Phone
- Car Keys
much higher rate of
- Change
- Computers
petty theft (unlocked
- Cash
- GPS Devices
door) from vehicles
- Credit Cards
- Handguns
than we have auto
- Sports equipment
burglaries.
- Personal Information
Don't Feed the Bears !
You'll soon start to see the
signs and materials from
the
Lafayette
Crime
Prevention Commission's
Campaign to reduce this
annoying crime within our
city. We've all seen the
signs in our National
Parks, Don't Feed the
Bears.
A visitor who
feeds
the
bears
encourages them to come
back to ruin the campsites
and vehicles of others.
It's the same way with
auto burglars.
If we
reward
them
with
significant amounts of
cash and property, they
are going to come back. When they come back, they may
burglarize our neighbors' car. By leaving items of value in your
car, you endanger all of us. Don't Feed the Bears - Take your
valuables in at night!
What should you do to prevent auto burglaries ?
 Lock your car at all times when it is unattended.
 Never leave items of value in your vehicle.
 Items of value in the trunk are not safe if you leave the car
unlocked - most cars have a trunk release inside the car.
 Never leave your wallet or purse inside the car, even if it is in
your garage (sometimes people forget to close the door at
night).
 Roll all your windows up when you leave your car.
 At night, park your car in an area that is well-lit.
 If possible, park your vehicle in a location where it is under
video surveillance.
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Residential Burglaries
For the month of April, we
Res. Burglaries
experienced
four
residential
burglaries within the city. Each of
YTD
YTD
Change
these burglaries is a terrible
2015
2014
occurrence that our investigators
7
17 - 59%
dedicate time and effort in
resolving.
APR 2015
Date
Report #
Entry
Property Taken
4/10/15
15-5980 Window Smash
Electronics, Clothing
4/20/15
15-6532 Open Garage Door Bicycle
4/29/15
15-7038 Dog Door
Jewelry, Electronics
4/30/15
15-7107 Window Smash
Electronics, Jewelry
DR # 15-5980 - Silverwood Drive - FRI 0645-0830. Resident
leaves their home in the early morning and returns to find the rear
sliding glass door of the home smashed.
The interior of the home had been
ransacked, with various items removed
from the home. The suspects removed
computers, telephones, and clothing
items. While officers and investigators
were searching the home, they found
the suspect had cut himself while trying
to remove a safe within the residence.
Our CSI personnel were able to
collect the blood for DNA testing.
The sample was submitted to the
crime lab and a suspect identified.
The suspect has been arrested and
property
from
the
burglary
recovered.
DR # 15-6532 - 600 Block of Huntleigh Drive - SAT - SUN 1600
- 1600. Resident reported that they left their garage door open
over a twenty-four hour time period and two mountain bikes were
removed from the garage.
DR # 15-7038 - 3500 Block of Boyer Circle - WED 0815 - 1315.
Resident leaves their home after locking the windows and doors
of the home. When the resident returned home, they found the
home ransacked and property missing from the home. Suspects
were found to have entered the home through an unlocked
doggie door. The evidence collected from the scene is being
processed by the crime lab.
DR # 15-7107 - 3100 Block of Somerset Drive - THU 1300 1350. Resident leaves their home for a walk in the neighborhood.
A neighbor returned home seeing a strange vehicle in the
neighborhood. A short time later, a suspect was seen running
from the home and entering a vehicle. The vehicle fled from the
scene. Investigators are still searching for the vehicles that
were used in the
crime.
Evidence
has been sent to
the crime lab for
processing.
Suspect vehicle
that is believed to
be involved in the
burglary.
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Lafayette Auto Burglaries 2015
Case Update
In September of 2014, a family on
Lucas Drive left their home for a few
hours in the evening.
When they
returned home, they found that a
suspect had moved a rock beneath a
window that had been left ajar. The
suspect crawled in through the
window, ransacked the interior of the
home and fled with various items of
property, including several computers.
The home was processed for
evidence by the officer on the night of
the crime and by our CSI personnel.
Vehicle Thefts
During the month of April, we had
one vehicle stolen from within the
city. With ten so far this year, we
are on track to exceed 2014.
During the processing, a towel was
found inside the home that did not
belong to any of the residents of the
home. The towel was collected and
processed by the crime lab. Sure
enough, the towel was found to have a DNA sample upon it.
Early this month, the DNA was matched to a suspect - a criminal
with an extensive criminal history. A warrant was obtained for the
arrest of the suspect and he was arrested. In an interview, the
suspect admitted to having burglarized the home. Investigators
are now reviewing various records to identify what the suspect
did with the property that he stole. The case has been charged
by the District Attorney.
Auto Burglaries
As previously identified within this
report, auto-related crimes are on
the rise in the city. In April, we
experienced
thirteen
auto
burglaries.
YTD
2015
YTD
2014
Change
30
27
+11%
Our investigators were
able to develop a lead
on three of the auto
burglaries that occurred
this month and three
that occurred at the end
of March. A suspect
was identified when he
was found by Walnut
Creek Police in the
possession of some of
the property taken during the burglaries. With that, we were able
to find the suspects' vehicle at the scene of many of our
burglaries.
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Report #
15-6346
Date
4/16/15
YTD
2015
YTD
2014
Change
10
4
+150%
Car
1994 Honda Civic
DR # 15-6346 - 3100 Block of Somerset Drive - THU 1230.
Owner brings their car to work in Lafayette. They leave their car
unlocked and the keys inside the car while they work on a
construction site. Owner comes out to the car to get their lunch.
After lunch, they return to their car and find it missing. The
vehicle was recovered two days later in Pittsburg, with the stereo
removed from the car.
Investigation. Our investigators were able to locate an image of
the suspect vehicle leaving the city, followed by a second vehicle.
Our investigators are currently searching for the trail vehicle using
DMV records. There is little doubt that the two vehicles are
associated.
Prevention. Early model Honda cars continue to be targeted by
thieves. These cars do not have the same security features that
newer cars have installed. Owners of these cars are urged to
purchase, install, and use a steering wheel locking device when
their car is parked and left for any reason. Whenever you leave
your car, make sure you lock it and take the keys with you.
The Crime Prevention Commission
will be beginning a campaign to
encourage our residents to prevent
auto burglaries. Residents have a
significant role in reducing these
types
of
crimes
within
the
community.
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Strong-Arm Robbery
Contra Costa Fire Report
During April, we experienced one strong-armed robbery in the
city. The crime was committed in the downtown, when a suspect
targeted a local business.
Battalion Chief Howard identified the following
items of note for the City:

Report #
15-6401
Date
4/17/15
Property Taken
Merchandise
DR # 15-6401 - 3500 Block of Mt. Diablo Boulevard - FRI 1440.
A subject enters a local business that had been victimized the day
prior. As the suspect entered the business, he grabbed several
thousand dollars of merchandise and ran for the door. An
employee attempted to block the door and was struck by the
suspect. The suspect was chased by the store owner, who
obtained a description of the vehicle used to flee the area. The
vehicle was located and the suspect arrested by our investigators,
who found evidence of the crime in the vehicle. The remaining
suspects have had warrants issued for their arrest. The primary
suspect pled guilty prior to the preliminary hearing.

On 5/19/15, CONFIRE units were
dispatched to Briones Park to aid East
Bay Park Units in rescuing a rider and
their horse. Both had fallen from a trail.
The rider was rescued, but unfortunately
the horse succumbed to its injuries.
Several crews from Lafayette participated in a multi-agency
Wildland Fire Drill in Tilden Park. Crews from Oakland,
Berkley, Richmond, and EBRPD were involved. The drill was
designed to help facilitate different agencies to work on
mutual aid procedures.
Home Inspection For Fire Hazards
Is that extension cord a fire hazard? How many
smoke alarms are enough? What should I do
in a cooking fire? CONFIRE personnel will
come to your home and advise you of any fire
hazards in your living room, kitchen and any
other room you want inspected. Officers will
also advise the best escape route for your floor
plan and help you learn how to use your home
fire extinguisher. You can contact the Public
Education Unit of the Fire District at (925) 941-3327.
BART PD Report
Commercial Burglaries
During April, we suffered two commercial burglaries in the city.
This is a drop in the number of this type of crime that we have
suffered as compared to last year. However, with the changes
brought by Proposition 47, this was expected.
Report #
Date
15-6345
15-6551
4/16/15
4/20/15
Property Taken
Merchandise
Cash
DR # 15-6551 - 1200 Block of Pleasant Hill Road - MON 0145.
Suspect is seen on video surveillance walking around the front of
the business. Suspect kicks at the window of the business and
makes entry to the business grabbing the cash box. The suspect
exits the building prior
to the arrival of
officers.
The cash
box was found near
the business, the
cash
had
been
removed from the
box.
Investigators
are trying to identify
the suspect from the
video images.
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Crime
Bike Theft
Property Theft
Qty
1
1
Good Neighbor Program
DR # 15-6345 - 3500 Block of Mt. Diablo - THU 1220. This
crime relates to the strong-arm robbery the day following (DR #
15-6401). A female suspect entered the business and appeared
to be shopping. She grabbed merchandise from the business
and fled through the front door of the business, running down Mt.
Diablo Boulevard. She has been identified and a warrant
issued for her arrest.
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During the month of April, the following crimes were reported at
the Lafayette BART Station.
We have expanded our Vacation
Home Check Program. If you tell us
when you are going to be gone from
your home, we will do our best to
have a member of our team check
your home every day and send you a
text or an e-mail to let you know we
were there and that everything looks
fine. We still want you to have that
other good neighbor check on your house as well, but
having an officer check your home is a good idea. If
you are leaving for a trip, please just give us a call at
the office to let us know when you are going to be
gone and who will be watching the house while you
are away. Even if you are already on vacation and
forgot to call before you left, we'd love to check on the
house to make sure everything is in order. It's a free
service we provide to our residents.
A home alarm is an excellent deterrent - it alerts us
to a problem at your home.
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Traffic Unit Report
Accidents. During the month of April, there were nineteen traffic
collisions reported to the police department. Here's where those
collisions were reported:
Traffic Enforcement. During the month of April, our officers
made 367 traffic enforcement stops. Of those stops, 174 citations
were issued and 11 drivers were arrested. The majority of the
drivers who were arrested were arrested for DUI.
You've read about the strong-arm robbery that we had in April.
As one of our officers was leaving the business, he saw a vehicle
that he thought matched the description of the suspect vehicle.
The vehicle drove directly in front of the business and passed the
officer. A quick check of the registration revealed that the vehicle
was a stolen. Officers got behind the car, made the stop and
arrested the driver.
Interested in Disaster Preparedness ?
Join a local CERT Class. CERTs are residents who have
taken training on how to aid us all in disaster. For more
information, see their website www.lamorindacert.org
MARK YOU CALENDAR !!
LAFAYETTE
SAFETY FAIR
August 30, 2015 (Sunday)
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p/m/
Stanley Middle School
Citizen's Police Academy
Interested in learning what it's like to be a police officer in the
city? Have you ever wanted to drive a police car? How
about processing a crime scene just like they do on
television? If this sounds like something you'd like to do, you
should consider attending the Lafayette Police Department's
Citizen's Police Academy. The six-week program is designed
to give participants an overview to the profession of law
enforcement. The course is hosted by the Crime Prevention
Commission and the next class is scheduled to begin
Wednesday, September 16, 2015. For more information
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Helicopters, Fire Trucks, Police Boats, and a Bike
Rodeo, make sure you drop by to learn how to use a
fire extinguisher, perform CPR, and information to he
you prepare for the next emergency.
CONTACT US
By Phone
Emergency: 911
Dispatch: (925) 284-5010
Office: (925) 283-3680
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By E-Mail:
[email protected]
[email protected]
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