Police Calls in Moraga: Collisions, Smash-and-Grabs, an IPad Scam

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Some days, you make terrible decisions, and the day only gets worse when police find out. Case in point: an 18-year-old man was pulled over and discovered to have glassy eyes and breath that smelled strongly of alcohol. He was found to have a blood alcohol level of .69 percent. But things got worse when police found nearly 60 grams of marijuana in the car, and it was discovered that he had a false driver’s license. He was arrested for all the above violations and taken to county jail, the perfect way to end a horrible day.

Another man was arrested on Larch Ave. after crossing a double yellow line and going 40 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. zone. After smelling alcohol on his breath, police tested him and found a blood alcohol level of .11 percent. He was taken to the police station and signed a promise to appear in court, then was released to a family member.

Thieves targeted Moraga Commons Park and smashed two car windows, making off with a purse in one case, and coming away empty-handed in another. A third car had the trunk broken into and a purse stolen.

A man on the 1000 block of Camino Pablo Dr. found himself the victim of a Craig’s List scam when he tried to sell is iPad to a buyer. The buyer agreed to purchase the iPad but had the seller cash a check for more than the sale price, and wire the difference to a location out of state. The seller wired the money, but the check was returned for insufficient funds.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Parents on the 1900 block of Ascot Dr. got quite a scare when they discovered their front door open and their 5-year-old son missing. Police found him walking on a nearby trail alone, where his parents apparently walked every day. He told police he was just going for a walk. He promised not to leave the house without his parents in the future, a promise he will probably keep for only a few short years more.

A woman on the 6600 block of Moraga Rd., , who was previously a victim of identity theft, received calls from an Officer Hallaway demanding that she pay a debt that did not exist. There is no one named Hallaway on the force, and police suspect it was related to a previous identity theft the woman suffered. Identity theft can have long-term consequences. Be careful.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

A resident of Eileen Ct. reported that his $6,000 mountain bike was stolen by someone who also took the lock securing the bike to the bike carrier to his car. Three other bikes were left untouched.

Monday, July 22, 2013

A car was reported weaving all over the road on Moraga Way. Police found the car and discovered that the driver was 19 years old. He didn’t appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and apparently had no excuse for his less-than-excellent driving skills. Police advised him to be more careful and let him go.

On the 100 block of Brookfield Dr., a woman reported that someone broke into her car overnight and stole her Sirius XM radio and a pair of sunglasses. The value was about $100, which is a pretty small take for such a major risk. The thief was clearly not a Harvard grad.

Meanwhile, on the 1900 block of Ascot Dr., a man reported that someone had tried to pry off his ignition with a flathead screwdriver, in an attempt to steal his van. Nothing was stolen from the van, but his ignition required replacing. He knew then that it must be Monday.

A car hit a 9-year-old girl at the corner of Campolindo Dr. and Calle la Mesa. Her mother took the girl to the hospital. Lamorinda Patch sincerely hopes her injuries are minor and wish her a speedy recovery.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A mom was getting in and out of her car on the 1900 block of Ascot Dr. while her 1-year-old daughter was playing with the car keys in the car. The car door accidentally closed, and the child locked the door. Since the woman could not get her extra set of keys from the locked house, police and fire crews arrived, retrieved the extra set, and freed the child, who was happily playing inside the car the whole time.

A car crashed into the retaining wall of a home on Fernwood Dr. The driver was injured and taken to the hospital, where it was discovered (to no one’s surprise) that he was not sober. He was then transferred to county jail in Martinez, on charges of drunk driving.

A woman on Lucia Lane had a window in her home damaged from a pellet gun.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A group of seven teenagers were reporting drinking in a creek on St. Mary’s College property. The college decided to offer counseling to the kids rather than press charges.

A resident of the 100 block of Warfield Dr. heard a loud noise outside his window, and saw a car driving away. He went out to investigate and found the driver’s side window of his car had been smashed. Nothing was taken, but it was a $600 repair bill, which is nothing to sneeze at.

A car on Campolindo Dr. was involved in a single car collision with a fire hydrant. When police rolled up, they found two very intoxicated men, both 22 years old, nearby. Both were subsequently arrested and taken to county jail in Martinez.

On Arroyo Dr., the owner of an SUV reported that a pellet from a pellet gun had damaged the rear window of the car.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

A head-on collision on St. Mary’s Rd. occurred when one car crossed the double yellow line and went the wrong way. The driver and passenger of one car were transported to the hospital after complaining of pain.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Some days, you make terrible decisions, and the day only gets worse when police find out. Case in point: an 18-year-old man was pulled over and discovered to have glassy eyes and breath that smelled strongly of alcohol. He was found to have a blood alcohol level of .69 percent. But things got worse when police found nearly 60 grams of marijuana in the car, and it was discovered that he had a false driver’s license. He was arrested for all the above violations and taken to county jail, the perfect way to end a horrible day.

Another man was arrested on Larch Ave. after crossing a double yellow line and going 40 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. zone. After smelling alcohol on his breath, police tested him and found a blood alcohol level of .11 percent. He was taken to the police station and signed a promise to appear in court, then was released to a family member.

Thieves targeted Moraga Commons Park and smashed two car windows, making off with a purse in one case, and coming away empty-handed in another. A third car had the trunk broken into and a purse stolen.

A man on the 1000 block of Camino Pablo Dr. found himself the victim of a Craig’s List scam when he tried to sell is iPad to a buyer. The buyer agreed to purchase the iPad but had the seller cash a check for more than the sale price, and wire the difference to a location out of state. The seller wired the money, but the check was returned for insufficient funds.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Parents on the 1900 block of Ascot Dr. got quite a scare when they discovered their front door open and their 5-year-old son missing. Police found him walking on a nearby trail alone, where his parents apparently walked every day. He told police he was just going for a walk. He promised not to leave the house without his parents in the future, a promise he will probably keep for only a few short years more.

A woman on the 6600 block of Moraga Rd., , who was previously a victim of identity theft, received calls from an Officer Hallaway demanding that she pay a debt that did not exist. There is no one named Hallaway on the force, and police suspect it was related to a previous identity theft the woman suffered. Identity theft can have long-term consequences. Be careful.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

A resident of Eileen Ct. reported that his $6,000 mountain bike was stolen by someone who also took the lock securing the bike to the bike carrier to his car. Three other bikes were left untouched.

Monday, July 22, 2013

A car was reported weaving all over the road on Moraga Way. Police found the car and discovered that the driver was 19 years old. He didn’t appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and apparently had no excuse for his less-than-excellent driving skills. Police advised him to be more careful and let him go.

On the 100 block of Brookfield Dr., a woman reported that someone broke into her car overnight and stole her Sirius XM radio and a pair of sunglasses. The value was about $100, which is a pretty small take for such a major risk. The thief was clearly not a Harvard grad.

Meanwhile, on the 1900 block of Ascot Dr., a man reported that someone had tried to pry off his ignition with a flathead screwdriver, in an attempt to steal his van. Nothing was stolen from the van, but his ignition required replacing. He knew then that it must be Monday.

A car hit a 9-year-old girl at the corner of Campolindo Dr. and Calle la Mesa. Her mother took the girl to the hospital. Lamorinda Patch sincerely hopes her injuries are minor and wish her a speedy recovery.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A mom was getting in and out of her car on the 1900 block of Ascot Dr. while her 1-year-old daughter was playing with the car keys in the car. The car door accidentally closed, and the child locked the door. Since the woman could not get her extra set of keys from the locked house, police and fire crews arrived, retrieved the extra set, and freed the child, who was happily playing inside the car the whole time.

A car crashed into the retaining wall of a home on Fernwood Dr. The driver was injured and taken to the hospital, where it was discovered (to no one’s surprise) that he was not sober. He was then transferred to county jail in Martinez, on charges of drunk driving.

A woman on Lucia Lane had a window in her home damaged from a pellet gun.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A group of seven teenagers were reporting drinking in a creek on St. Mary’s College property. The college decided to offer counseling to the kids rather than press charges.

A resident of the 100 block of Warfield Dr. heard a loud noise outside his window, and saw a car driving away. He went out to investigate and found the driver’s side window of his car had been smashed. Nothing was taken, but it was a $600 repair bill, which is nothing to sneeze at.

A car on Campolindo Dr. was involved in a single car collision with a fire hydrant. When police rolled up, they found two very intoxicated men, both 22 years old, nearby. Both were subsequently arrested and taken to county jail in Martinez.

On Arroyo Dr., the owner of an SUV reported that a pellet from a pellet gun had damaged the rear window of the car.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

A head-on collision on St. Mary’s Rd. occurred when one car crossed the double yellow line and went the wrong way. The driver and passenger of one car were transported to the hospital after complaining of pain.