Richmond Police Department
Crime Report
Council Report February 2024
Mayor Martinez, Council and Community,
The attached documents provide the statistical data related to crime for the month of February. In addition to the crime statistics, you will also find statistical information related to our use of the FLOCK camera system. This information includes the number of cases in which the License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras have assisted over the past month.
In the attached documents you will see that violent crimes increased slightly over the past month. There were increases in robberies (23) and sexual assaults (16). There were decreases in property crimes in all categories. Officers recovered 17 firearms during this reporting period.
Additionally, I would like to highlight a few significant cases that occurred over the past month.
On Tuesday Feb 6th, officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation on Lancaster Drive. Upon arrival, officers located the victim down under a carport suffering from a single gunshot wound. AMR and RFD responded and attempted life saving measures.
Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. A neighborhood canvass was conducted and surveillance cameras were located near the shooting scene. Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Homicide detectives have continued to work this case and have some promising leads.
On February 5,2024 Officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of S.22nd Street on a report of a stabbing. While enroute, RPD Dispatch advised that the caller now stated someone was stabbed. As officers arrived, they could hear a male screaming for help. Officers rushed upstairs and were met with a locked security screen. They could see the victim standing close to the door with the suspect directly behind him holding a knife. The victim had a large amount of blood coming from one of his hands and groin.
Officers ordered the suspect to drop the knife. He refused and started jamming the knife through hole where the doorknob was supposed to be on the security gate. As the suspect did this, officers attempted to yank the screen off, but were only able to detach several of the metal bars.
Officers retrieved the halligan tool and were able to finally breach the door. They removed the victim and quickly detained the suspect who had discarded the knife.
AMR responded and treated the victim. He sustained a large laceration to the palm on his left hand. He also sustained a long and deep laceration to the underneath portion of
his scrotum. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect was taken into custody for attempted murder.
In the early morning hours of February 20, 2024, officers responded to a report of a collision on Pierce Street. Upon arrival, officers located a major damage collision between two vehicles. The solo driver of a white Honda Civic was trapped inside his vehicle and unconscious. RFD rescue personnel responded to assist and the driver was subsequently pronounced deceased. The investigation revealed the driver was traveling northbound on Pierce Street at a high rate of speed when he may have either fallen asleep or had a medical emergency, causing him to veer across the road colliding with the front end of an unoccupied parked “big rig” truck.
RPD Traffic Unit personnel responded the scene and assumed the investigation.
Detective of the Year Recognition
On February 7th, 2024, our 2023 Detective of the Year was recognized at a ceremony hosted by the Elks Lodge of El Sobrante. This year, Detective Jaime Guzman was selected by a vote from his peers. Detective Guzman’s selection was a full circle moment for our department. Detective Guzman grew up in Richmond, started his career as a police explorer, was hired as a cadet and promoted to the position of police officers.
He was selected to our Domestic and Sexual Violence Unit as a detective in 2021. Driven by a personal passion for fighting human trafficking, Detective Guzman has become a dedicated expert in the field. From in -depth investigations to educating colleagues, he leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of justice for victims. This commitment earned him recognition as a human trafficking expert within the Contra Costa County Superior Court system.
In today's tech-driven world, Detective J. Guzman recognized the importance of electronic evidence, particularly from mobile phones. He took it upon himself to delve into mastering the department's Cellebrite and GrayKey tools. This initiative transformed him into the department's go-to person for phone forensics.
Detective J. Guzman's casework stands as a testament to his dedication. He fosters collaboration with the District Attorney's Office, leveraging their expertise to strengthen prosecutions. He actively participates in specialized task forces, pooling resources to dismantle trafficking networks. Notably, he invests in our patrol of ficers, providing them with training that directly enhances their ability to identify and intervene in potential trafficking situations.
Faced with staffing limitations, Detective Guzman demonstrates exceptional grit and resilience. He readily contribute s extra time, arriving early and working weekends with unwavering dedication. Whether it's the meticulous preparation for a warrant service or the in-depth analysis of a complex case, he tackles every task with a silent determination that inspires his team . His leadership by example, coupled with his tireless work ethic, makes him an invaluable asset to the Criminal Investigations Bureau and deserving of the Detective of the Year honor.
Update:
On Father's Day, June 20, 2021, Richmond Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire at 2108 Dunn Avenue, where a party was attended by upwards of 100 people. Officers arrived on scene to find a mass shooting, in which three people were killed, four others struck by gunfire and two additional persons injured as a result of the shooting. On February 21, 2024, the jury in the trial of Enrique Anacleto Ramirez-Calmo returned a verdict. Ramirez-Calmo, one of two defendants in the shooting, was found guilty as charged on 12 separate counts including first degree murder, conspiracy, attempted murder and shooting into an inhabited dwelling. This conviction would not be possible without the hardworking and dedication of the officers who responded to the scene and conducted follow up investigation to identify the suspects in this case.
Bisa French
Chief of Police
Richmond Police Department