Richmond Police Department
Crime Report
Council Report March 2024
Mayor Martinez, Council and Community,
The attached documents provide the statistical data related to crime for the month of March. 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 by 7% over the past month. There was 1 homicide, 80 aggravated assaults, 28 robberies and 7 sexual assaults. There was also a slight increase in property crimes of 3% with 22 burglaries, 138 thefts, 97 stolen vehicles and 5 arsons. Officers recovered 15 firearms during this reporting period.
Additionally, I would like to highlight a few significant cases that occurred over the past month.
Homicide
On March 27, 2024, officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances call in the 300 block of S. 36th Street. Officers arrived and observed the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The 20-year-old victim died at the scene. Homicide detectives assumed the investigation and developed leads which led to the identification of the suspect. Criminal Investigations Bureau Detectives, along with the Surveillance Unit, additional RPD personnel, and the SFPD Gang Unit executed operation to locate and arrest the suspect. Suspect Jose Serrano was taken into custody without incident in San Francisco. The District Attorney’s office filed murder charges against the suspect.
Robbery/Carjacking
On March 23rd, 2024, a victim arrived at the Bank of America near Hilltop to deposit cash. While waiting at the ATM a blue Toyota arrived. Two suspects exited the vehicle and approached the victim. As the suspects approached, they motioned to their waistbands suggesting they had firearms. The suspect took the victims backpack and then approached the victim’s vehicle. A second victim was inside the vehicle and the suspects demanded that victim’s wallet and phone. The suspect then demanded the second victim to exit the vehicle. The suspects fled taking the victim’s vehicle as well as the vehicle they arrived in. The victim vehicle was tracked through GPS in San Francisco. A short time later Oakland PD advised they were in pursuit of the vehicle.
During the pursuit the stolen vehicle became disabled and the two suspects were taken into custody.
Wire Theft Arrest
There has been a significant increase in wire theft over the past several months. The thefts have caused internet outages throughout the city which impacts the quality of life of our residents. On March 25th, 2024, officers responded to a report of a subject stealing wires from an AT&T pole. Upon arrival officers located the suspect vehicle. The trunk was open and there was a large amount of wire inside of the vehicle. As officers were on scene the suspect walked up the hill with a bag full of wires. Estimated value was over $20,000. The subject was also in possession of several tools to assist in stealing wires. He was taken into custody for grand theft.
Human Trafficking
On March 29th, 2024 Detectives conducted a operation to address human trafficking and prostitution along the 23r5d/24th Street corridors. The operation resulted in three citations for loitering with the intent to prostitute, one firearm recovery, two human trafficking victims rescued, and several field contacts. Resources were provided to the subjects contacted.
Community Outreach
Our Crime Prevention unit organized two “Walk with the Chief” days during the month of March. The first one was on 23rd Street where we met with business owners who discussed their concerns regarding crime and also applauded the efforts of our parking enforcement officers. The second walk was in the Point Richmond Business District.
Both events were a great opportunity to connect with community.
Vehicle Abatement Operation – Southern District
A team of officers and parking enforcement personnel removed 70 abandoned vehicles from the Southern District after receiving numerous complaints from the community. An additional 15 vehicles were red-tagged and 25 parking citations were issued during this operation. Additional vehicle abatements will be conducted in other districts in the coming weeks.
Booker T. Anderson Easter Event
A contingency of officers and explorers partnered with community leaders and the fire department for an Easter Egg hunt on March 30th. The event was well attended and the kids enjoyed hunting for Easter treats.
Bisa French
Chief of Police
Richmond Police Department