Police Blotter: Burglary by Fire Extinguisher, Suspicious Solicitor

Incidents highlighted in the blotter were recorded in the Piedmont Police Department log Feb. 4-11. Information was supplied by the police and does not indicate any convictions.

A burglar used a fire extinguisher to smash a hole in drywall and gain access to a locked storage room in a home under construction on Pala Avenue, according to a Piedmont Police Department spokesman.

Detective George Phifer said the burglar was likely trying to reach tools stored in the room. He said police found the fire extinguisher abandoned on the floor of the home, possibly when the security system sounded. The burglar probably entered the home through a unsecured exterior door that didn't yet have a lock and other hardware.

The burglary took place shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

MONDAY, FEB. 4

Reckless driver — A woman called Piedmont police to report that a reckless driver in a white pick-up almost hit her grandson, who was riding his bike.

Identity Theft — A Dudley Court resident reported a case of identity theft

TUESDAY, FEB. 5

Wheelchair returned — Piedmont police officers returned an electric wheelchair to its owner on Jerome Avenue.

Annoying phone calls — A resident of El Cerrito Avenue reported receiving annoying phone calls.

Peddling without a permit — Police advised a magazine salesman that a peddler’s permit is required to go door-to-door in Piedmont after receiving a report of “belligerent” salesmanship from a resident of Dawes Court.

THURSDAY, FEB. 7

Noisy leaf blower — Officers issued a warning to a gardener using a gas-powered  leaf blower on Monte Avenue. Piedmont police returned to the street on Friday following a report of another person violating the city’s leaf blower ordinance.

Identity theft — A resident of Magnolia Avenue called Piedmont police to report that a credit card has been opened in her name with the bills being sent to an address in Richmond. On Friday, Feb. 8, a resident of Ramona Avenue reported identity theft.

Security check — A resident of Magnolia Avenue requested a security check after discovering a broken window at his residence

Vandalism — Someone smashed the window of a vehicle parked on St. James Drive between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Police said the vandal was likely trying to rifle the vehicle, but the security system remained intact and the doors remained locked.

FRIDAY, FEB. 8

Missing car cover — A resident of Crocker Avenue reported that his car cover was missing.

SATURDAY, FEB. 9

Suspicious solicitor — Police interviewed a man after a resident of Kingston Avenue reported a door-to-door solicitor was looking into car windows.

Wrong license plate — An electronic license plate reader on a patrol car detected a rear license plate on the wrong car parked on Rose Avenue. The plate had been removed from a vehicle reported stolen in Oakland and transferred to a similar vehicle in Piedmont — a process known to police as "cold plating." The stolen license plate was removed and a note was left on the car for the registered owner.

MONDAY, FEB. 11

Intoxication — Police transported an intoxicated 37-year-old Oakland man to Glenn Dyer Jail in Oakland for a holding period after taking him into custody on Moraga Avenue shortly before 2:30 a.m. He appeared to be the same man who escaped questioning by police about 45 minutes earlier by "jumping or falling" into bushes between Grand and Lower Grand avenues, then fleeing, police said.

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