Pleasanton Police Credit 'Alert Citizen' for Arrest of Suspected Prowler

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

Pleasanton Police arrested a Sacramento man suspected of prowling this morning in the 2100 block of Rheem Drive.

Sergeant Pat Walsh said in a statement, “Around 9 a.m., an alert citizen noticed a suspicious subject prowling near a residence in the 2100 block of Rheem Drive. The citizen immediately called the police and reported that the subject entered the rear yard of a residence as soon as the residents left. The subject then approached the front doors of several other houses and tried to open doors to vehicles that were parked in driveways. The citizen provided a detailed description of the suspect and where he was traveling. Officers surrounded the area and located the subject behind a business. The subject provided false identifying information to officers and had just hidden an expensive bicycle in shrubbery. The subject was arrested for prowling and possession of narcotics. The investigation is continuing as there might be additional victims of theft or burglary. The subject was identified as 20-year-old Roman Phillips from Sacramento.

“In this situation, the suspect would not have been identified or captured without the help from this alert community member. The Pleasanton Police Department reminds citizens to immediately call the police when they see suspicious behavior or people.”

Pleasanton has been plagued with home and auto thefts since last year. In a previous article, police officials say there were 31 auto burglaries in December, mainly occurring in parking lots and streets around the Stoneridge Shopping Center or the Hacienda business park. According to police records, 42 percent of those thefts were from cars that were left unlocked.

Following multiple burglaries earlier this year, police officials urged residents to be vigilant and revisited their ‘Hide It, Lock It or Lose It’ campaign to help stave off potential burglars.

In recent weeks, the Pleasanton Police Department has seen an increase in daytime residential burglaries occurring between 10 am and 4 pm. The typical scenario is that one or more subjects approach a home, ring the doorbell, and wait for a response. If no one answers, the subject(s) wait outside for a short time and then either force entry through a side door (usually through the side garage door) or the front door. If confronted, these subjects might be dressed in business attire and have a cover story such as door-to-door sales or marketing. It is likely the subjects have a getaway car parked in the area which is also likely to be occupied by a subject acting as a lookout. Residents are asked to stay alert to strange cars or people in their neighborhood. It is critical that residents call the police immediately, before calling anyone else, when reporting these circumstances.

Please ensure all doors and windows are locked, including side garage doors and second story windows. Even if home during the day, it is important to keep the garage door closed. Any vehicles should always be locked and DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OF VALUE IN THE CAR, including phones, purses, briefcases and computers.

Photo courtesy Pleasanton Police

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