Victim leads police to suspect 
Sandra Spagnoli Chief of Police
901 East 14th Street, San Leandro CA 94577
PRESS RELEASE
DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 10-26-12, 1:35 PM CRIME: Possession of stolen property
DATE / TIME OCCURRED: 10-25-12, 2:15 PM
LOCATION: 15500 East 14th Street, near Fairmont Drive in San Leandro
INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S): Sergeant Doug Calcagno
ARRESTED SUSPECT:
Valentine Cruz, D.O.B 12-27-82, resident of unincorporated San Leandro
DETAILS:
On 10/11/12, a resident of San Leandro went out to his vehicle and discovered all four wheels and tires had been stolen off of it. This occurred on Ottawa Ave., near Corvallis St. The victim started monitoring craigslist to determine if the suspect would sell his wheels on the website.
On 10/25/12, approximately 9 AM., the victim discovered his wheels were listed on craigslist and he decided to contact the San Leandro Police Department for assistance. San Leandro Detectives started to investigate the incident and they scheduled a meeting with the suspect. They met with the suspect and the wheels were identified and recovered. The suspect (Valentine Cruz) was arrested for possessing the stolen wheels and the wheels were returned to the victim. During this investigation property from another theft was also recovered and returned to its owner.
Lt. Randall Brandt said, “When I look back on this week, I recall multiple cases that were solved by community support. Any information citizens can provide will benefit our investigators and staff. I would like to stress citizens should not physically meet up with the suspects, leave this up to our investigators. This week we have arrested several burglars, a man with a gun, and now this wheel thief with help from our residents. We are definitely witnessing a trend with good witnesses helping our organization fight crime.”
MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE
Please contact Det. Sgt. Calcagno with any information regarding this case at 510-577-3238 or contact the Anonymous Tip Line at 510-577-3278. Citizens can also send an anonymous tip to San Leandro Police Department by texting the word SLPD and their tip to 847411. Anonymous web tips can be submitted from the Police Departments website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd/at.asp
For crime prevention tips please go to the Police Departments website at www. Sanleandro.org. or contact Officer Tim DeGrano at 510-577-3248
Address/Location
San Leandro Police Department
901 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA 94577
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-577-2740