Orinda Police Blotter: Helpful Tats; Blasted Nannies, and a Smoky Winnebago

Orinda Police Blotter April 14 - April 21

Driving Under the Influence

Police responded to a call of a car colliding with a concrete pillar in the 100 block of Rheem Boulevard on April 24 at 8:38 p.m.

When they arrived, they found a 27-year-old Richmond man under the influence of
alcohol had crashed his 2002 Toyota Corolla into the concrete pillar, causing the car to roll onto its left side and triggering deployment of its front airbags.

The driver escaped without injuries and was brought to the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. Once cleared, he was taken into custody to the Martinez Detention Facility and charged for driving under the influence.

Possession of Marijuana - and a Winnebago

When Orinda Police were called out to investigate a traffic jam on Moraga Way on April 22 at 1:41 p.m., they also discovered two occupants in a Winnebago motorhome in possession of marijuana.

According to police reports, the two subjects were found to be in possession of approximately 50.8 0unces of plant material which a presumptive narcotic test kit showed positive results for marijuana.

One of the men, a 21-year-old Lafayette resident was found to have a previous arrest for possession and sale of marijuana. He explained to the officers that he had a medical use for the illegal drugs and showed his expired medical marijuana card, which had an unidentifiable picture.

Both subjects were arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the drugs were collected, photographed and booked into evidence.

Residential Burglary

An Overhill Road home was burlgarized on April 21 at 11:55 a.m. When police
responded to the call, they found the thieves had kicked in the rear garage door, giving them access to the residence.

The homeowners lost not only two Apple laptops but significant damage to their garage entry door frame and the door into the residence.

The total value of items stolen and replacing of damaged doors is estimated over $7,000.

Possession of Burglar's Tool - and a Helpful Tat

Orinda Police were alerted to a suspicious man with a tattoo of “villain” on his left forearm hanging out at the Shell Service Station parking lot in the unit block of Orinda Way on April 19 at 10:21 p.m.

Officers asked the 28-year-old Antioch man if he was on parole or probation and discovered he was on two active grants of felony probation out of Contra Costa County with a permission to search clause. When a search of the man's car was performed, they found miscellaneous burglary tools including shaved keys used to access various vehicles in the cab of the car directly behind the driver seat.

The visitor was arrested for possession of burglary tools and was transported to Martinez Facility where he was booked.

Au Pair Driving Under the Influence

A 22-year-old woman was stopped by Orinda Police on April 19 at 12:39 p.m. for traveling 54 miles per hour in a 40mph zone and for failing to maintain in her own lane on Camino Pablo.

When officers questioned the woman, they noticed she had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech and red watery eyes, apparent signs of intoxication. She was asked to step outside of her BMW SUV and allegedly swayed as she walked. After agreeing to a field sobriety test and a preliminary alcohol screening, her blood alcohol level registered at .148percent.

She was arrested and taken back to the Orinda police station where she opted to submit to a breath test registering at .15. She was then charged and taken to Martinez Detention Facility where she was booked for driving under the influence. Orinda Police contacted her employer and the owner of the BMW SUV and notified him that his au pair had just been taken into custody.

Residential Burglary: Westwood Court

On Monday April 18 at 2:30 p.m., a residential burglary was reported to Orinda Police by an 18-year-old man on Westwood court. Officers reported that the victim came home and found the home he shares with his 46-year-old mother completely ransacked.

The suspects entered through an unlocked door facing the street and took jewelry and electronic items. One of the electronic items stolen was a 50” television from the front room, which would have required a vehicle of size to cart it away. When police canvassed the area, they found one neighbor who saw three subjects leaving in a red Chevy sedan.

The total estimate value of items stolen is well over $10,000.

Possession of Marijuana for Sale

Orinda Police arrested a 29-year-old Oakland woman on April 16 at 9:17 a.m. for possession and sale of marijuana.

An officer dispatched to the 20 block of Acacia Drive found the woman sitting in a
car. While asking her a few questions the officer smelled marijuana coming from inside the car and a search revealed individual packaged baggies of marijuana under the front passenger seat. The woman admitted to owning the baggies and was transported to Martinez Detention Facility, where a search allegedly revealed Vicodin tablets in her right front pocket.

She was booked and charged with possession of marijuana intent for sale.


Driving Under the Influence: Moraga Way at Oak Drive

During routine patrol on Moraga Way near Oak Drive on April 16 at 2:15 p.m., Orinda police noticed a silver Toyota Camry driving on the right shoulder and weaving in and out of traffic heading south. When the officer stopped the car and walked up to the driver side window, he noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the inside of the car.

The driver was questioned by the officer and showed several signs of being intoxicated. The 45-year-old San Jose man failed the field sobriety test and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. He was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility and booked.