Police Calls: Tows, Fireworks and Grand Theft

Did you go away this week? Not to worry.

The following is a round-up of police incidents taken from the Los Altos Police log, made available the previous Friday to Thursday, June 29 to July 5. This week, Los Altos Patch includes a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office arrest, which occur periodically.

  was a towing extravaganza, as management at the Foothill Crossing  and Homestead Crossing shopping centers strictly enforced its 90-minute parking limit, part of a push that began June 25 to make sure the parking lot was available to shoppers. The shopping centers, which straddle Cupertino and Los Altos, next to the Foothill Expressway and close to Interstate 280, have long been used by people to leave their cars for biking and hiking excursions, carpooling and other activities. Property manager Gary Lieth had told Patch that it had received “hundreds” of complaints.  Fifteen cars were towed from the properties during the  three-day period, totaling nearly 30 cars over the week.

Not far away, on June 29, a resident from the 2000 block of El Sereno Drive reported at 8:31 a.m. that she was missing jewelry from the home. Police later issued team operating in the area. The victim had earlier that week received a query about from an individual about possibly purchasing her car, parked in the driveway, and had been engaged in a 20-minute conversation in the driveway about the possible transaction. Police believe an accomplice stole into the open front door while she was distracted and took the valuables.

, animal control was advised when residents found a turkey wandering Margarita Court. Resident Margaret Redfield snapped a photo of the turkey as it came through the yard. The word appeared to have gotten around Foothill Crossing by Tuesday, also. There was only one tow reported that day, at 11:19 a.m.

, there were two malicious mischief incidents reported at 8:14 a.m. and 9:06 a.m. According the Police Agent Frank Bañuelos, municipal services personnel noticed the damaged grass while performing their duties. “The damage consisted of motorcycle tire tracks that were in a circular motion as if the person were riding around in circles,” Bañuelos said. A neighbor who lives near Shoup Park stated that he or she had heard several motorcycles in the area of the park between 6 to 7 p.m. the night before, but there is no suspect information. While investigating that incident, city personnel discovered the same type of damage to the grass at nearby Lincoln Park, as well. The two incidents appear to be related, Bañuelos said

There was also a graffiti report at Heritage Oaks Park, found by a patrol officer. The graffiti consisted of several images spray painted on the walls. City personnel responded and cleaned the walls, Bañuelos said. There is no suspect information.

Later that night, police were called to the 300 block of Almond Avenue on a battery complaint. Bañuelos said this incident involved two room-mates who had a disagreement about money. The reporting party claimed that the other party had thrown a bottle at him, but officers did not any injury. A report was taken and forwarded to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for review. There were two tows from Foothill Crossing shopping center, one at 1:15 p.m., the other at 3:57 p.m., as enforcement on the 90-minute time limit to discourage all-day parkers, continued.

, there were one tow from the Foothill Crossing shopping center, at 1:43 p.m. Police, of course, were mostly kept busy responding to 911 calls about private fireworks going off, across town. Police received 10 calls, all between 8:58 p.m. to 10:34 p.m., from all around town. A lost dog was found on Grant Road about 11:21 p.m. and animal control was called.

By Thursday, July 5, all was very quiet, except for a of Braudillo Feliz on charges of hit and run, DUI and possession of a controlled substance. Inside city limits however, there wasn't much going on. , at 10:08 p.m., on Orange Avenue and not a single tow from Foothill Crossing shopping center.