Full Notification

On 7/12/12, around 8:54AM, the El Cerrito Police received an audible alarm call located in the 2600 block of Sonoma Ave. At the same time Dispatch received a call from an alert El Cerrito resident reporting suspicious juveniles in the area of Charles Ave. and Ellerhorst Ave. The resident noticed the juveniles were looking at houses and possibly casing them. Upon officers’ arrival they discovered the back door of the house located on Sonoma Ave. had been kicked in. It appeared the burglars were scared off by the audible alarm.

While circulating the area for possible suspects, a detective located a possible suspect in the area of Hazel Ave. and Carquinez Ave. The suspect was detained without incident. While speaking to the first suspect, the detective heard noises coming from a yard of a nearby residence. Officers converged onto the backyard and located two more suspects. They were both taken into custody without incident. During a search of one of the suspects, he was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Upon further investigation it was determined the three juvenile suspects were involved in the burglary on Sonoma Ave.

All three juveniles were transported to the El Cerrito Police Department for booking. The two juveniles from San Pablo were booked for burglary, conspiracy and prowling. The juvenile from Richmond was booked for burglary, conspiracy, prowling and minor in possession of a loaded firearm. All three suspects were transported to the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall in Martinez after booking. This case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review.

El Cerrito Police Department Case File #12-11961: Any questions or inquiries regarding this incident should be referred to Detective Corporal Gilbert Tang: (510) 215-4423.

Prepared by: Detective Corporal Gilbert Tang