Full Notification

The El Cerrito PD has received media inquiries about previous arrests of John Cowell (Born in 1990). The ECPD has arrested him twice, both in 2016.

April 25, 2016:

Drug Possession / Safeway 11450 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito:

At 0427 hours, officers were dispatched to Safeway regarding a habitual shoplifter outside the store, waiting for the store to open. Officers contacted the suspect, who admitted he was on probation. An Officer verified the probation status then searched the Mr. Cowell and found drugs in his possession. He was booked and then released with a citation.

The second was in May 2016. This information was previously released via our crime blog, shortly after the arrest (minus John Cowell's name).

May 27, 2016

Robbery / Lucky’s  1000 EC Plaza El Cerrito:

At 1708 hours, officers responded to the report of an armed robbery.  A uniformed security guard attempted to stop a shoplifter just outside the store.  The suspect brandished a firearm at the security guard.   The suspect, a 26 year old Concord resident, fled to the Plaza BART station’s westbound platform where he was located by responding El Cerrito officers.   He tried ditching his clothes onto the tracks and into the trash.  A replica firearm was found in his jacket.  He was taken into custody without incident.  He was booked and was transported to the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez.