Monday, January 24, 2011

Suspicious Activity, Theft, Burglary, Scavengers

SUSPISCIOUS PERSONS Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 6:50PM Del Paso Manor Elementary School

I just wanted to let you know that something odd and a bit creepy happened on my early evening walk with my dog last night. It was about 6:50 pm last night as I was circling Del Paso Manor Elementary school with my dog. We were walking on Avalon and approaching one of the school yard entrances. Mind you, the schoolyard was dark and appeared empty. There was no function going on at the school. Two middle aged (appeared to be) men crossed the street from Annette Way. They barely glanced at me as they entered the schoolyard. For whatever reason, I felt a bit off all of a sudden. I continued walking but noticed they were heading straight through the school yard.

As I turned onto Marilona and kept walking, I could see their shadows walking. As I got closer to the school buildings, all of a sudden, they turned right and in my direction. I immediately crossed to the other side of the street and slowed down. There were no people or cars out, and I felt uncomfortable. I could see their shapes stop all of a sudden behind a smaller building, like a larger tool shed. This is located not too far from the sidewalk. I stopped immediately and turned around. I walked about 30 feet and looked back. Cars started coming, so I resumed my walk in the direction of Kings Way. As I got closer, the men finally stepped out of the shadows and came onto the sidewalk. I was still across the street and quite frankly, I glared at them. They had their heads down and never glanced at me. They quickly started walking back on the sidewalk but in the direction where they came from!

I have no idea what they were doing but I will tell you, it was not a good feeling. There are times I can see teenagers sitting in the dark in that schoolyard. Anyway, I wanted to pass that along. It could have been a harmless occurrence but my gut tells me otherwise.

Note: Trust your instincts. They've developed for a reason. The Gift of Fear is a book that explains this in greater detail.
PROPERTY THEFT Friday, January 21, 2011 10:30 PM 2500 block of Cambon

Just wanted to let you know that I had some of my solar lights stolen tonight. Sometime before 10:30 pm. They took the ones on the North side of my front porch, when they move closer to the center the porch light comes on.

RECYCLING SCAVENGERS Friday, January 21, 2011 (morning) 2800 block Alamitos

Noticed a man going through my recycling can this morning. Was a little frightened to yell at him, but I was hopping mad. Then he went on to neighbor’s house. I left a message for the recycling coordinator just now. Any more we can do? He was by himself dressed in all black with a hood over his head. Didn't see anyone or any other car with him. After I got off the phone I looked towards Marconi and didn't see him.

Thought you would want to know.

Note: scavenging is going to happen, however, I have seen these people, actually go up to the house, (not on a garbage day), and go through the trash, and recyclables. Call the Sheriff's department. ANYTIME they approach your house. Non emergency dispatch may be reached at (916) 874-5115.

PACKAGE THEFT Friday, January 21, 2011 3800 block Kings Way

3 packages were stolen of of the porch of a house on Kings Way. Each one weighed approx 30 lbs, and were left by Fed Ex. The recipient was home, but did not hear a knock at the door.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY Saturday, January 15, 2011. 8:30 AM 2800 block of Barbarell (reported by the Sac Sheriff Cyberwatch. No further details at this time.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Catching up--multiple events

Sorry for the delay in posting these. Several events have happened since last post.

December 18th:

A vehicle was ransacked on the 2500 block of Catalina last night. The intruders gathered together a GPS and a garage door opener, but were left on the passenger seat. The owner thinks that they left the car unlocked. No explanation for the items being left behind.

December 19th:

Another car was ransacked on Cambon. An unsecured ladder and power washer were stolen from a carport on Kings Way in the last days.

Also, a child's yellow rocking chair was stolen from the front porch of a house in the 2500 block of Andrade. It had faded paint, and designs on it. this occurred last week, unsure of which day. (Note: This one is odd and reminiscent of things I've heard from the U.K. where if an item is on your porch and not affixed, someone will steal it even if it is not of any value.)

December 20th:

From Andy, whose truck was stolen: They found my truck! I just got it back from the towing yard. It had been abandoned over on the corner of Verna and Avalon on the other side of El Camino from us. I sure wish I had checked over there….I looked almost everyplace else. The battery was stolen and the gas tank emptied with the gas cap missing as well. They took some change and a few incidentals from the inside but otherwise the truck appears to be fine. There is a dent in the tail gate where it appears they may have pushed the truck possibly to get it out of ear shot of my house. I mention this because I have heard of cars being stolen lately by a “tag team” effort with two other vehicles. One vehicle pulls up behind the car to be stolen and the other is a truck with a tow dolly. The vehicle behind the car to be stolen pushes the car onto the tow dolly and they drive away with their loot. This can be prevented with more careful parking as this method does not work if your car is in a driveway, or if another car is parked behind it. Thanks to everyone for keeping an eye out for it. Luckily enough this one has a pretty happy ending.

December 28th:

After posting the last alert, I was informed that another catalytic converter was stolen from a Toyota pickup. on Cambon during the same period. The Toyota pickup which was stolen and later recovered from Duran Circle was apparently almost stolen again last night. A resident, on Kings Way happened to be awake at the time, noticed a small white or light blue sedan pull up across the street and turn out its lights. The occupant, a white male, was able to unlock the pickup, but the kings way resident, using a laser pointer, let the criminal know that he was being observed and the criminal fled the area. There is no further description at this time.

January 4:

On New Year's Eve, a green Honda was stolen from the 2800 block of Avalon. CHP has recovered the vehicle with a broken window and damaged ignition. No further info available.

January 5th:

Sometime Monday night (January 3, 2011) someone stole the American, California, and a special award flag, for Del Paso Manor School from the flagpole. The cable was locked, but the thief was able to get them anyway. Video cameras captured an image of the thief, and I am working to get a still picture. There have been many incidents at the school over the past few months, and I usually get the info too late, but I connected with the principal today and will be adding her and the school to this network.
Hi Chuck-
Please pass this on to the network.
About 3 weeks ago as I was leaving Macy's at Country Club Plaza, two women pulled up in a small 2005 or newer Honda or Toyota (metallic beige or tan) and asked me for gas money to visit their father in Elk Grove who had just had a heart attack. They said people were laughing at them and noone would help them. I agreed to follow them to the Valero station and gave the attendant inside 15 dollars for their pump. They thanked me profusely and seemed sincere.

Two days ago as I was leaving Sam's Club the same women drove up and were about to ask me for gas money and use the same story, but I turned and said to her "I helped you before." She said "I have a bad memory and even worse luck." This time they had two children in the back.

The driver is a short, heavy-set Philipina or Pacific Islander in her late 20's early 30's, and the passenger looked to be Hispanic with shoulder length hair, thinner build, and also short.

The license plate # is 6CWV936 (at least by my memory juggling a 5 year old and groceries)
They are obviously disingenuous and taking advantage of people.
I made an online report with the Sherriff's dept.
January 5th Announcement:

Many of you may have noticed her in the neighborhood in her blue van with a surgical mask on her face, and many of you have asked how they could help.

Terri Lynn Davis 1/7/1950 - 1/5/2011
Terri was a lady that did not rent or own a home in the Del Paso Manor neighborhood, but was a resident just the same. She passed away peacefully this evening, at the UCD med center. Terri had been struggling with cancer for several years, and just wanted to be her own person and independent.

She took care of her own arrangements, so no help is necessary, but thank you.