'Baggy Pants Bandits' Hit Home Depot; Horrifying Kitten Cruelty Case; Shooting at Homeless Encampment: East Bay Police Log

The following is a collection of weekly police, court and fire stories from around the East Bay this week.

Victim of Brutal San Ramon Attack Recovering, Community Rallies to Help

• Friends have established a fundraising page to help San Ramon resident Casey Pletz.

Thefts from Unlocked Cars in Tri-Valley Prompt Police to Issue Warning to Residents

• “Crime is not just a law enforcement problem, it is a community problem.”

$5,000 Reward in Pleasanton Home Depot Burglary Case

• The 'Baggy Pants Bandits' are also suspected in home improvement store thefts in Roseville.

Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Donate $5,000 to Burn Foundation

• The money will be used for burn prevention, support services and programs.

Berkeley Nanny Arrested, Charged With Abusing Infant

• The nanny was shown on surveillance video violently abusing the 6-month-old boy, according to court documents.

Horrifying Kitten Cruelty Case Draws Attention, Donations From Throughout Bay Area

• Officials speculate the five kitties — one since euthanized — had legs bound and were used as bait for fighting dogs.

5-Alarm Fire Near Oakland's Lake Merritt

• The massive fire broke out at a construction site, forcing neighbors to flee the towering flames.

Gruesome Crash: Big Rig Kills Pedestrian in Emeryville

• The victim was in a crosswalk when she was hit.

Halloween Night Robbery, Thefts in Alameda

• Police say groups of teens. many in Halloween masks, were causing more than mischief.

Tri-City: Hammer-Wielding Man Threatens People in Supermarket

• Fast-thinking employees locked-out the suspect. Police were called to subdue the man

Police Arrest 2 Suspects in String of Armed Robberies

• All of the robberies happened near the BART station.

'My Pillow' Agrees to Put False Advertising Claims to Rest

• The company will pay more than $1 million in penalties and contributions to charitable causes.

Young Woman Vanishes in San Leandro

• Her disappearance is considered "suspicious" by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

Man Shot at Oakland Homeless Encampment

• Oakland Police are investigating the shooting.

Bicyclist Killed in Collision With Motorcycle

• The motorcyclist and passenger are both hospitalized.

Traffic Clerk, Court Clerk Office Hours to Be Cut

• Get your business done now, or wait longer in line. Budget cuts are hitting Alameda County offices

Berkeley Man Charged in Three Shootings

• He is suspected in additional recent shootings in South Berkeley.

Pedestrian Critically Injured By Hit-and-Run Driver

• Police have released a description of the vehicle.

Advocacy Group Demands Changes to Deadly I-880 Interchange

• Two people have died and two suffered serious injuries in the past 20 months.

Walnut Creek Man Killed Near Concord Pavilion

• The victim was struck by two vehicles, including a police car

El Cerrito Man Identified as Richmond Murder Victim

• He was found shot to death on an Interstate Highway 80 on-ramp.

Hercules Police: Spike in Smash-and-Grab Car Burglaries

• Electronics are a favorite target.

Kensington Selects New Police Chief

• The new chief is expected to be officially hired next week.

Arson Suspected in Oakland House Fire

• The abandoned home was used by transients.

Photos courtesy Pleasanton Police Department from $5,000 Reward in Pleasanton Home Depot Burglary Case