Police Blotter: Burglars Busy in Piedmont

Incidents highlighted in the blotter were recorded in the Piedmont Police Department log Oct. 15-22. Information was supplied by the police and does not indicate any convictions.

Burglars hit five Piedmont homes and attempted to enter two others over a six-day period, according to Detective George Phifer of the Piedmont Police Department.

The rash of burglaries began Oct. 16 in the 100 block of Sandringham Drive, where someone forced open the back door of a home during daylight hours and stole a large amount of jewelry, Phifer said.

On Oct. 20, a burglar pried open a garage door in the 500 block of Boulevard Way and stole a bicycle.

The following day, Oct. 21, a resident of the first block of Huntleigh Road reported that his home was burglarized while the family was on vacation. Jewelry was also stolen in that break-in, Phifer said.

Two burglaries were reported on Oct. 22.

At 3:15 a.m., an alarm company contacted Piedmont police to report that the security system of a home in the first block of Crest Road indicated motion in the rear hallway. Police found a side door open, but nothing appeared to be missing from the home. The thieves did, though, smash a window of a Mercedes parked in the carport.

Later that morning, Oct. 22, a resident of the 700 block of Kingston Avenue reported the theft of a bicycle worth $1,100. Phifer said the burglar entered through a sliding glass door and stole the bike from a playroom inside the home.

Meanwhile, other Piedmont residents reported unsuccessful attempts to burglarize their homes.

On Oct. 17, a resident of the 100 block of St. James Drive heard her doorbell ring several times shortly after 10 a.m. but didn't answer the door. A few moments later, someone shattered a bathroom window but was apparently scared off by the resident's presence, Phifer said.

On Oct. 22, a Winsor Avenue resident reported that her daughter found the backyard gate open when she arrived home from school the previous afternoon. In the morning, the resident discovered that her ladder had been moved to rest against the house. 

MONDAY, OCT. 15

Identify theft — A Monte Avenue resident reported being the victim of identity theft.

Theft — A catalytic converter was reporten stolen from a vehicle parked in the 200 block of Magnolia Avenue.

TUESDAY, OCT. 16

Vehicle theft — A minivan was reported stolen from the 1500 block of Grand Avenue.

Lost dog — A citizen brought a lost bulldog to the police station about 10:15 a.m.

Oops, where's my key? — The Piedmont Fire Department assisted a Woodland Way resident who was locked out of her house during the afternoon.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17

Towed vehicle — An unoccupied vehicle left in the middle of Somerset Road was towed. The vehicle was registered to a South San Francisco owner, but it's unclear whether it had been reported stolen.

Fraud — Someone used a Sharon Avenue resident's credit card number to make several purchases. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 18

Commercial burglary — Burglars hit Grand Lake Ace Hardware, and one suspect was arrested. See "Burglars Hit Ace Hardware, Suspect Injured" for details.

Attempted vehicle theft — Someone broke a door lock on a large Ford pickup truck parked overnight in the 100 block of Sea View Avenue. Phifer said it appeared that a thief was trying to steal the truck, as the igntion switch had been damaged.

Happy ending — A Piedmont student's backpack was stolen from her front porch moments after she arrived home and went inside to greet her new puppy. A man later found the backpack at a service station near Piedmont Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland. He called the student and arranged to return the backpack, apparently with nothing missing.

SUNDAY, OCT. 21

Auto stolen but recovered — A Nissan Maxima stolen from from the 100 block of Somerset Road earlier in the week was located by Oakland police.

Stolen change — Someone rummaged through a vehicle parked in the 100 block of Oak Road for the second time in one week. This time, some loose change was taken.

MONDAY, OCT. 22

Stolen auto — A Honda Civic was reported stolen from the 100 block of Olive Avenue.

Suspicious circumstances — A Highland Avenue resident reported a man walking back and forth in front of her house while talking on a cellphone about 10 a.m. Turns out he was the driver taking her to the airport.

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