Police Log: Washer Arson; Bad Dad; One Crazy DUI

The following is a summary of significant crime and incidents reported in Fremont between Jan 2 and 8 as released by the Fremont Police Department.

Wednesday, Jan. 8

• Forgery in-progress arrest was made of a 64-year-old man at U.S. Bank on Fremont Boulevard and Walnut Avenue.   

• Drunk driver ignores cop, runs two red lights at twice legal speed with flat tire. While stopped at a red light at 11 p.m. at Fremont Boulevard and Thornton Avenue, an officer saw in her rear-view mirror that a Toyota was approaching at a high rate of speed and proceeded to run right through the intersection. The officer activated her lights, but the driver failed to yield, increased speed instead and appeared to be driving on a flat tire. The vehicle sped south on Fremont at approximately 70 mph (posted speed is 35) and ran another red light at Fremont and Peralta Boulevard. At that point, the car's front left tire came off the rim, and the driver finally pulled over. The motorist, a 21-year-old woman from Hayward who appeared to be intoxicated, told officers she just really wanted to get home and was almost there -- although police noted she was driving in the opposite direction of Hayward. She was arrested for suspected driving under the influence, possession of the cocaine found in her wallet and reckless driving.   

• Scam Callers Pose as Police, Request Credit Card Info.

• A 1999 Honda Civic, stolen off Towers Way in early December, was recovered in Oakland by the California Highway Patrol. Found at Coolidge Avenue and Prentiss Street, the car was listed as "minor strip."

• Smash-n-grab at Warm Springs restaurant. A vehicle parked at a restaurant on the 36800 block of Warm Springs Boulevard had its window smashed and a laptop was taken from the trunk.

• Meth-high dad snatches kids. A Creekside Village Apartments resident called 911 after seeing a man kick in a nearby apartment door, hearing a fight between the male and a female, and then see him exit with two children. The caller followed and confronted the suspect, which briefly distracted him until police arrived. After officers' arrival, the 37-year-old father of the two kids refused to release the children. After a standoff, the man complied, was taken into custody, and the children returned to their mother. The suspect was allegedly high on meth and alcohol, and arrested for felony spousal battery, burglary and for being under the influence.

• Two residential burglary cases. On the 4600 block of Nelson Street, a daytime burglary, with suspects smashing a rear window to make entry, recorded losses of video games, components and coins. And along the 600 block of Woodview Terrace, a break-in occurred between 4:25 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. with entry via a window and numerous items taken, including jewelry, computer components and currency.    

• Four auto burglaries logged: at Central Park near tennis courts; at Central Park near Mission View; two at Commerce and Paseo Padre Parkway.

• Washing-machine arson was reported at 1:45 a.m. to the Fremont Fire Department from Century Village Apartments. Unknown suspects reportedly set fire to three washing machines in the laundry room. 

• Odd? Yes. Crime? No. Police responded to Quadres Court regarding a man walking around the neighborhood wearing a dress and blowing a whistle. Upon the officers' arrival, the male went to his house and claimed to be OK. No crime underway, so police left.    

• Clues lead to two burglary collars. An officer patrolling Hanover Place spotted a trailer with an open door.  He noticed a ladder propped to the door (clue #1), a pair of bolt cutters near the door (clue #2), and heard a noises inside (clue #3). A 30-year-old Newark man emerged from the trailer, along with his girlfriend, 27 from Newark, as well. Both were arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property and other crimes.  

• Two unrelated deaths. Two separate incidents in which elderly men passed away were reported. The first involved a 92-year-old male unresponsive inside a vehicle on the 3000 Block of Howard Common.  The second was an unresponsive 83-year-old, who was at home, in bed, on Zacate Place. The Fremont Fire Department responded to both and pronounced the individuals deceased. No signs of foul play indicated in either case.  

• Street-racing enforcement. Units set up a visible command post in the south part of town to monitor the "Friday car meet-up" and recent street racing incidents around Pacific Commons. Only a handful of vehicles showed up.    

• Bicycles, golf clubs and ski equipment were taken in an overnight residential burglary on the 5100 block of Glacier Park Court.  Entry into the garage was possibly gained via a remote-control, garage- door opener inside one of the victim's vehicles.

• Self-surrender DUI? An officer was driving behind a vehicle that suddenly pulled over, even though no emergency lights were activated. The cop stopped, as well, and approached the car on Royal Palm Drive and Blacksand Road -- and ended up arresting the driver, a 56-year-old woman, for suspected DUI.  

• Police Activity at Union City BART Station Delays Trains.

• Four Arrested in Pleasanton on Suspicion of Widespread Mail Theft.

• Online Fund Established for Teen Mom Killed in NYE Crash.

• Roll-over driver arrested. A 24-year-old motorist was arrested for police obstruction after rolling his pickup truck at Logan Drive and Nelson Street. A juvenile was a passenger in the vehicle, and not a relative of the driver's. The driver, however, interfered with fire personnel and paramedics, and prevented them from treating the juvenile. 

• $1K in booze gone. Three Asian males entered Safeway at Fremont Hub and reportedly stole over $1,000 in alcohol, according to employees who saw the suspects leave in a small green sedan.  

• Bullet hole in bakery door. Employees at Vienna Bakery & Cafe arrived at work to find a bullet hole in the company's front door.