Bizarre Sudanese Story Leads to Theft at Home Depot: Police Log

HERCULES, CA- See police activity in your neighborhood last week? Here is the Hercules Police Department activity log for April 27-May 1.

Arrest/Search Warrant/Cultivation of Marijuana/Possession of Marijuana for Sale: On April 27, 2016 HPD officers executed two search warrants, one in the 100 block of Crane Ct. and the second one in the 4000 block of Garvin Ave., Richmond. The warrants stemmed from information the house in the 100 Crane Ct. had an unusually high PG&E bill over a two month period. Further investigation indicated the house on Crane Ct. was being used to cultivate marijuana. The listed tenant on Crane Ct address was also associated to the Garvin Ave address. 49 old Xiao Hui Lin, of Richmond, was arrested at the Crane Ct address. Evidence of cultivation of marijuana and cash was located at both the residences. A total of 744 marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, were recovered. Approximately five pounds of trimmed marijuana was located in a bedroom, on Crane Court. Lin was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Domestic Battery: On April 27, 2016 at 3:41pm, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Oxford for a report of a battery. The female caller said her husband punched her on her right collarbone area, with a closed fist, and then tried to choke her. The couple’s adult son saw his father holding his mother down on the ground. 72-year-old Rodolfo Eleno was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Court Order Violation: On April 27, 2016 at 4:45pm an officer was dispatched to the 1200 block of Willow Ave for a court order violation. The reporting party stated she has a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend; and that he had just knocked on her front door. The male was gone with the officers arrived.

Theft by False Pretense: On April 27, 2016 at 4:11pm an officer was dispatched to HPD for a lobby detail. The victim is a 76 year old female. The victim was contacted by the suspect, an African American adult female, in front of Home Depot. The female suspect said she had just inherited a large amount of money and showed the victim two large “rolls” of cash with $100 bills on the outside. The suspect said she needed to return to her home in Sudan, but could not take the money or the Sudanese Government would take it. The two women were approached by an African American adult male (suspect #2), who asked if he could help them. The female suspect said she would like to give her money to charity, rather than have her Government take it. She asked the victim, and the male suspect, if they would handle the donation for her, as she had to leave immediately. In order to show their trustworthiness, both parties the male suspect (and the victim) were to draw $5,000 out of their bank account. Once they both had their “trust” money they both put the money in an envelope. The female suspect wanted to show each party the other one could be trusted. The female suspect, and the victim, walked around the block; leaving the male suspect alone. When they returned the female suspect took the male suspect on the same walk, but either of them returned.

Attempt Vehicle Theft: On April 27, 2016, at about 6:47 pm, an Officer responded to the Home Depot Parking lot located in the 1600 block of Sycamore Ave for a reported attempted vehicle theft. The victim parked his 2002 GMC Denali at about 6:15 am. At about 67:45 pm he returned and found the driver’s door slightly ajar and the door lock, steering column and ignition damaged.

Unregistered Sex Offender: On April 27, 2016 10:11am, 60 year old Donald Ray Brown came in to update his Sex Offender Registration. He is moving to the 900 block of Bacchus. During the process it was discovered that Brown has been out of compliance for about year. Brown was arrested and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. Assault: On April 28, 2016 at 3:20pm an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Willow Ave (Starbucks) for a report of an assault. An employee, reported that an African American adult female, spat in her face. The altercation was reportedly over a decline refund. The suspect was last seen exiting the parking lot towards Willow Ave in a green Jaguar.

Fraud: On April 29, 2016 at 12:17pm an officer was dispatched to HPD regarding a fraud. The reporting party is a limo owner. He was contacted by the suspect who wanted to use his services. The suspect sent the reporting party a Cashier’s Check in the amount of $3,000. The reporting party deposited the check into his personal account. A few days later, the suspect called and canceled the service. The suspect asked his refund be returned in cash and put in a bank of America’s checking account. After returning the cash to the suspect, the reporting party was was notified, by his bank, the Cashier’s Check is fake

Auto Burglary: On April 30, 2016 at 7:49am, an officer was dispatched to the 2200 block of Railroad for an auto burglary report. The reporting party parked his 2001 Toyota Prius in front of his residence, yesterday at 3:00pm. The reporting party went out to his vehicle, this morning, and saw the front driver’s side window was shattered. The center console was rummaged through.

Auto Burglary: On April 30, 2016 at 9:28am, an officer was dispatched to Crystal Circle for an auto burglary report. The reporting party parked his grey 2015 Chrysler 200 in a parking stall across from his residence last night around 11:45pm. Around 8:30am he saw the front passenger side window was broken out. The reporting party left cash in plain view in the center console. Cash in the glove box which was untouched.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: The Hercules Police Department participated in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hercules residents turned in over 37 pounds of Prescription, or over the counter drugs. These drugs were destroyed in environmentally friendly manner. They were not put into the waste water system, or put into a landfill. If you were not able to participate in the formal drop off procedure you can still dispose of you unwanted prescription drugs. Just bring your items to the “Drop Off” box located outside City Hall. Remember to take all pills, or tablets, out of the containers and put them in a zip lock bag. Liquids should be tightly capped and places in a zip lock baggie, to prevent leaking if the bottles break. There is also a bin for the disposal of “sharps”.