Suspicious Activity, possible casing of a home

Two weeks ago, Mr. Smith, who lives on Villa Vista Way, related that he had an encounter with two men and a young boy. One of the men (self-described as "Italian"), said that he knew Mr. Smith's daughter, and that he had done some roof repairs for Mr. Smith. During the conversation, the boy said that he needed to go to the bathroom. Mr. Smith allowed the trio into his house, (he realized his mistake later), and although nothing occurred, the trio acted suspiciously.

Today Mr. Smith related that yesterday he encountered the same person and vehicle near the intersection of Morse and Alta Arden where the man indicated that Mr. Smith had a problem with his rear tire. Mr. Smith pulled over, and the man said that he could fix the problem for $40. Mr. Smith said that he would call AAA. It was determined later that there was no problem with the tire. At approximately 12 PM Wednesday (as related by mr smith), the same person(s), and boy showed up at Mr. Smith's house, knocked on the door, and said that their cat had jumped over Mr. Smith's fence, and asked to go into the backyard. Mr. Smith told them no, and the people got into their vehicle and drove off. Mr. Smith feels that he is being targeted for a possible theft, or other scam.

The description Mr. Smith gave is vague, and he is asking for anyone that spots a similar looking vehicle with similar occupants to please record the license plate number.

The vehicle is a dark black or blue SUV type with a luggage rack on top. The vehicle is smaller in size than a Jeep Cherokee.

The occupants are one Hispanic male adult, one "Italian" male adult, and a small boy.

Any help would be appreciated.

Helping out an adjoining neighborhood

This report comes from a nearby neighborhood. If you have information on the vehicle, please forward it to Chuck at dpm-crime-alert@sbcglobal.net

This incident seems to have taken place early in the morning on April 2nd.

We live on De Costa Ave Which is by Presentation Church on the other side of Marconi. Early Friday morning probably about 2 AM, a white SUV (the neighbor thought it might be a Chevy Tahoe, but it was dark and wasn't 100% sure) drove down De Costa from Eastern and failed to make the bend in the road. It went into the neighbor's yard just missing her olive tree and turned left and into the side of our garage. It was going fast enough to not only punch a hole in the wall but push the motorcycle into my car and that into Bob's car. It then was able to back out, running into the back side of the olive tree taking off bark and limb, turned and angled toward the street after clipping the corner of the garage knocking all the bricks off the face. It then left the scene, turned right onto SilverCrest and we believe left onto Norris heading towards Marconi.

It left behind a side mirror, broken tail light pieces, and a casing that goes around the headlights. The front end has to be squashed and the back driver side corner probably as well and the back window is probably broken. The police took a report.

We don't have much else to go on other than we think it is probably someone who lives within the area.

Homicide on Watt Avenue

From Cindy with the Sacramento Sheriff's department:

I have had some inquiries regarding the homicide at Country Club Lanes….Please see below for information that we are able to release as it is an open, active investigation.

March 28, 2010

Homicide on Watt Avenue

On March 28, 2010, at 4:04 AM, Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting call at the Country Club Lanes bowling alley which is located at 2600 Watt Avenue . Deputies arrived and found a 19-year-old male victim lying in the parking lot and suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. Paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives were told by patrons inside the bowling alley they heard multiple gunshots and went outside to find the victim. Detectives have not identified any witness to the actual shooting and have no description of the suspect(s). A motive for the murder has not been established. It’s unknown if the victim was the intended target or accidentally struck by the gunfire.

Anyone with information regarding this murder is urged to call Sheriff’s Homicide detectives at (916) 874-5057, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP; or send a text message tip by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000

Attempted Car Theft

From Kristin (2500 blook of Butano):

[Friday night] I went to bed around 12am... and was awoken just before 5am to a neighbor's car alarm that sounded like mine (based on the direction of sound, I knew it wasn't mine) - I decided to get up & investigate anyhow Lo an behold my 2004 VW Jetta was half way out in the street (No longer in the drive way) and my inside dome light was on.

Obviously, not where I had left it a few hours before! My ignition was intact but my key now sticks when I remove it... the stick (clutch) was not in the gear, that I always leave my car in. Nor was the parking brake on, like it always is... Needless to say, someone had attempted to take my car. When I started my car, the "display"/notification lights came on informing me that a Non-Compliant key had been used. (There's a computer chip in every VW Key, specific to the car.) Basically, they tried using a VW key & popping the clutch.

There was nothing of value in the car, other than $4 which was gone. I didn't bother filing a sheriff's report; but wanted to alert everyone as to the latest event. Not sure why my car was picked as I don't think VW's have made their way up the theft list, but I could be wrong?!

Car Burglary at Country Club Plaza

From Jackie:

Today (Sunday, March 14), sometime a little after 5:00 p.m., I had just parked in the parking lot of the Country Club Plaza Shopping Center, in the parking area in front of La Bou, when I met a woman who had just discovered that her Hummer had been broken into. The thief stole her GPS and some other things. Don't know when the theft took place, but it was still plenty of light out when I happened to meet her.

Suspicious Man at another door

From Blaine:

I just wanted to pass along an incident that happened and ask if you would forward it to the network. On Saturday, March 6, 2010 at around 8:00pm, my wife was at home alone with no lights on visible from the street. There were also no cars in our driveway. Someone rang our bell and knocked on the door, and my wife did not open it, but asked through the door who it was. A man answered that he was with the "voting polls" and said "open the door." She refused and he apparently left. She did not see any car or other person around, but it worried her. She described him as a "tall, Caucasian man." I would like to make sure people are aware that they should be extra careful, especially with the census occurring this year. Thanks.

Andrew Commentary

"Voting polls" doesn't sound like a valid ID, but even if it were, opening the door at night seems like a bad idea. Anyone who tells you to open the door should probably be ignored and perhaps police called.

Scavengers Again

From Curt on Friday, March 5th:

There was a full size white pickup, CA license 6G02074, cruising slowly through the neighborhood at around 6:30 am Friday March 5th. There are half a dozen plastic garbage cans in the bed. It is recycling day, so they are probably just scavengers. Last seen stopped in the road, westbound, in the 3900 block of Lasuen. There were two occupants, but they would not get out of the cab while I was nearby.

From Lynn on March 6th:

This has been going for several months now. If you ask them to go away, they do. I have seen them appoach homeowners for larger items they see them in the front yard with a "sale", or similar sign. to haul off, if sellable or reuseable. However, they didn't have trash cans in the truckbed when I've seen them, so it could be a different group.

Andrew Commentary:

Please remember, these people may be using scavenging as a cover to get into your garbage cans for identity documents. They may be looking for houses that appear to be empty or unguarded. Even if they're just taking recycling, that decreased county revenue, which will make your rates go up in time.