Crime Watch: DUI Checkpoint Arrests, Catalytic Converter Thefts Continue

DUI Checkpoint Arrests

On the evening of Dec. 16, the Roseville Police Department conducted a on Douglas Boulevard near Sierra Gardens Drive, in partnership with Avoid the 7, Placer County's anti-DUI taskforce. The checkpoint resulted several arrests for DUI, and citations issued for not having valid driver's licenses. The officers also found that one of the vehicles passing through the checkpoint had been stolen from Elk Grove.  The 31-year-old male driver of the stolen car was arrested for vehicle theft and for being a parolee at large. 

Avoid the 7 will continue their maximum DUI enforcement efforts throughout the county from now until Jan. 2. If your plans include drinking, Roseville Police suggest people plan ahead: Designate a sober driver, call a sober friend or take a taxi home.

Hit and Run, Suspect Located

At 6:39 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, officers responded to a traffic collision on Washington and Junction boulevards. One of the drivers drove away from the scene, collided with a sound wall in the 300 block of Sawtell, and fled on foot.  Officers located the suspect hit-and-run driver in the 600 block of Springfield Circle.  He was transported by ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment of injuries from the collision.  He's currently listed in fair condition.  Alcohol was a suspected factor in the collision.

Catalytic Converter Thefts Continue

Overnight on Dec. 13/14 we had a rash of at least 14 catalytic converter thefts in the Foothills/Junction, Vineyard and Woodcreek and residential neighborhoods near Baseline Road, Foothills Boulevard and Junction Boulevard. All but a couple of the victim vehicles were Toyota pickups or Toyota SUVs.  

Thieves steal the catalytic converters, which are emission control devices mounted underneath vehicles, and sell them to metal recyclers.  The recyclers mine them for small amounts of precious metal.  These thefts cost victims between $500 and $1,000 or more to replace.  Thieves especially target Toyota pickups and SUVs. The safest place to park your vehicle overnight is inside your locked garage, according to Roseville Police.

Residential Burglaries Roundup:

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Between 9 a.m. and noon on Dec. 7, someone entered an apartment in the 10000 block of Woodcreek Oaks Blvd. and took handguns, jewelry and other items.  The burglar may have gotten in through an unlocked door.

Thursday, Dec. 15

A home in the 100 block of Grape Street was burglarized between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Dec. 15. A laptop computer and iPod were taken.  There was no sign of forced entry, and no suspects.

Vehicle-Related Crimes:

Overnight on Dec. 9/10, someone smashed the window of a vehicle parked in a driveway in the 100 block of Crane Meadow Court. Nothing was taken.  A vehicle parked in the 1900 block of Robin Brook Way was broken into the same night, and speakers, a laptop, and iPod and other items were taken.

Sometime overnight Dec. 10/11, someone stole the battery from a vehicle parked in the 6700 block of Fiddyment Road.

Sometime between 1 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 11, someone stole a silver 2002 Cadillac Deville from the 200 block of Grape Street.

Sometime overnight Dec. 16/17, someone broke into a vehicle in a hotel parking lot on North Sunrise, and took jewelry, clothing, a retail gift card, and other items.

At 3:37 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, a resident of Hampton Drive heard the sound of her vehicle being started, and called police.  Officers arrived in the area within minutes, and contacted two males walking in the area.  They had burglary tools and a portable GPS navigator that had been stolen during a vehicle burglary in Carmichael earlier in the evening.  Both men, ages 23 and 24, from Carmichael, were arrested on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft, possessing stolen property and related charges.

At 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, officers responded to a vehicle burglary in progress in the Vernon Street Parking Garage.  Officers arrested two local transient males, ages 24 and 34, on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy and possessing stolen property.