November 23, 2001

DRUNKEN DRIVER CRASHES CAR INTO POLICE STATION

Author: THERESA HARRINGTON, STAFF WRITER

Concord's police station was assaulted last weekend, when a drunken driver crashed into a pillar in front of the building.

A 25-year-old Concord man drove his car into the pillar at 4:41 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, said Sgt. Phillip Johnson of the Concord Police Department.

After the crash, the man walked into the lobby of the police station and was bleeding from head injuries sustained in the crash, Johnson said. He was the only occupant of the car.

"He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and he was making statements to officers, stating that he wanted to go back to Mexico," Johnson said. "During our contact, it was obvious the incident was not an accident but an intentional act."

The man made similar statements to medical personnel who treated him at the scene, and then he began pounding his own face, Johnson continued.

The man was subdued, and officers arrested him on suspicion of felony vandalism and on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was sent to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation, said police.

Police Chief Ron Ace said the damage to the building appears to be minimal and there is no danger to the building's occupants.

"It just needs to be repaired cosmetically," he said, adding that a vehicle hit the front doors of the building a few years ago.

"We may take some efforts to prevent that from happening, by putting in some obstacles to prevent vehicles from driving that close to the building, like large planters or something," Ace said.

Dante Grasso, manager of facilities maintenance, said he is trying to find a company that can make the repairs quickly.

"The exterior on the building uses a membrane and stucco exterior finish, so not just anybody can make the patch," he said.

"That's one of the jewels in our crown," he added, referring to the 5-year-old police station. "It's one of our newest buildings."

CONCORD LOG

The following excerpts were taken from last week's Concord police log:

Tuesday, Nov. 13

SUSPENDED LICENSE: At 12:19 a.m., a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license at Clayton Road and Rishell Drive.

BATTERY: Police arrested a 23-year-old man at 2:45 p.m. on suspicion of committing a battery and inflicting serious injury on Willow Pass Road.

BATTERY: At 10:31 p.m., police arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of committing battery on the 3600 block of Willow Pass Road.

POSSESSION: Police arrested a 24-year-old woman at 11 p.m. on suspicion of possessing a hypodermic needle and syringe on the 4000 block of Salem Street.

DUI: At 11:05 p.m., police arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of driving while under the influence at Meadow and Robin lanes.

Wednesday, Nov. 14

DISORDERLY CONDUCT: Police arrested a 42-year-old woman at 4:52 a.m. on suspicion of disorderly conduct while under the influence of alcohol on the 1000 block of Mohr Lane.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: At 5:59 a.m. on the 1600 block of Challenge Drive, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary.

INSTITUTION BURGLARY: On the 2900 block of Avon Avenue, police responded to a reported burglary at a private school or institution at 7:12 a.m.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: At 11:15 a.m. on the 1700 block of West Street, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: On the first block of Sunvalley mall, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary at 3:32 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 15

VEHICLE BURGLARY: At 6:49 a.m. on the 3100 block of Grant Street, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: On the 1300 block of Galaxy Way, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary at 8:18 a.m.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: At 1:45 p.m. on the 1600 block of Adelaide Street, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary.

NO LICENSE: Police arrested a 24-year-old man at 3:53 p.m. on suspicion of driving without a license at Navaronne Way and Viola Place.

SUSPENDED LICENSE: At 6:45 p.m., police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of driving with a suspended license at Concord Boulevard and Galindo Street.

Friday, Nov. 16

DRUNK: Police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of being drunk at 1 a.m. on the 1500 block of Monument Boulevard.

NO LICENSE: At 8:44 a.m., police arrested a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of driving without a license on eastbound Highway 4 at Port Chicago Highway.

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY: On the 1900 block of Grant Street, police responded to a reported commercial burglary at 9:20 a.m.

SUSPENDED LICENSE: Police arrested a 23-year-old man at 1:20 p.m. on suspicion of driving with a license that had been suspended or revoked at Denkinger Road and Wilson Lane.

NO LICENSE: At 8:35 p.m., police arrested a 45-year-old woman on suspicion of driving without a license at Meadow Lane and Monument Boulevard.

Saturday, Nov. 17

WARRANT: Police arrested a 22-year-old man at 1:42 a.m. on suspicion of having an outstanding warrant at Concord Avenue and Salvio Street.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: At 4 p.m. on the 2500 block of Todd Avenue, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: On the last block of Commerce Avenue, police responded to a reported vehicle burglary at 5:13 p.m.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT: Police arrested a 38-year-old man at 6:22 p.m. on suspicion of disorderly conduct while under the influence of alcohol on the 1700 block of Pine Street.

SUSPENDED LICENSE: A 20-year-old man was arrested at 8:11 p.m. on suspicion of driving with a suspended license at Colfax Street and Concord Boulevard.

Sunday, Nov. 18

WARRANT: Police arrested a 42-year-old man at 8:30 a.m. on suspicion of having an outstanding warrant on the 3400 block of Dormer Avenue.

BATTERY: At 12:30 p.m., police arrested a 29-year-old man on the 1600 block of Haller Court on suspicion of committing battery and inflicting serious injury.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: Police responded to a reported vehicle burglary at 12:55 p.m. at Concord Boulevard and Grant Street.

SUSPENDED LICENSE: At 3:05 p.m., a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license at Willow Pass and Avila roads.

SUSPENDED LICENSE: A 49-year-old woman was arrested at 3:55 p.m. on suspicion of driving with a suspended license at Laguna and Galindo streets.

The following neighborhoods had residential burglaries last week.

4500 block of Candywood Court

2900 block of Bonifacio Street

1000 block of Mohr Lane

Kirker Pass Road at the city limit

1200 block of Krona Lane

1300 block of Galindo Street

1700 block of Landana Drive

CLAYTON LOG

The following excerpts were taken from last week's Clayton police log:

Tuesday, Nov. 13

VEHICLE BURGLARY: Police responded to a reported vehicle burglary at 4:10 p.m. on Center Street.

Thursday, Nov. 15

STOLEN VEHICLE: At 7:30 a.m., police responded to the report of a stolen vehicle on El Molino Drive.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY: Police responded to a reported residential burglary at 12:47 p.m. on Marsh Creek Circle.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY: At 5:37 p.m., police responded to a reported residential burglary on Mt. Wilson Way.

VEHICLE BURGLARY: Police responded to two reported vehicle burglaries at 6:53 p.m. on Center Street.

Friday, Nov. 16

DUI: At 11:12 p.m., police stopped a 43-year-old Clayton man for a vehicle code violation. Police then arrested the man on suspicion of driving while under the influence.

All content copyright (c) 2001 Concord Transcript and may not be republished without permission.
Record Number: 2001327738