Politics & Government

Police Log: Gunman Robs Church Bingo Game

Incidents of interest from the Alameda Police Department log, July 2-4.

A man wearing a red bandanna to cover his face and carrying a handgun robbed the bingo game of its proceeds Tuesday, July 3, according to an Alameda Police Department spokesman.

Lt. Ted Horlbeck said the man entered the church hall's kitchen, on Van Buren Street, through a rear door about about 10 p.m., brandished a gun at a bingo game worker and demanded money. The worker directed the robber to the game proceeds, and the thief scooped up the cash and fled, Horlbeck said.

Witnesses reported seeing the robber enter the passenger side of a car parked nearby before the car drove away.

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The robber is described as a black male adult in his late 20s, 5'8" to 5'10" tall and weighing 140 to 150 pounds. 

Fourth of July Parade Incidents

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A 3-year-old boy fell from his father's shoulders, where he was perched watching the Fourth of July parade, and landed on his forehead, Horlbeck said. The boy had a raised bruise on his forehead and was taken to Children's Hospital in Oakland, where he was kept for observation. The mishap occurred in the 1600 block of Webster Street.

About the same time, a 47-year-old woman began running through the parade and pulling decorations from some floats, Horlbeck said. She was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication near the intersection of Webster Street and Haight Avenue a little after 12:30 p.m.

Water Rescue

About 4 p.m. on July 4, two Alameda police officers assigned to marine patrol duties were operating personal watercraft (Jet Skis) in the estuary near the Encinal Yacht Club when they came across a man clinging to the boom of his capsized 15-foot sailboat, according to an APD press release.

The man was wearing an improperly fitted life jacket and appeared physically exhausted from making numerous attempts to right the boat, police said.

The officers assisted by collecting some of the man’s personal property, which was floating in the water, and one officer unsuccessfully attempted to use his Jet Ski to pull the sailboat to an upright position, the release said.

A “safety boat” from the Encinal Yacht Club also responded, but the man was unable to board it because it was too high, police said. The officers ultimately pulled the man out of the water onto one of the Jet Skis and brought him safely to shore. The man was not injured and required no medical attention, police said.

A line and buoy were secured to the sunken sailboat to mark the hazard and for future recovery purposes.

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