Also charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony evading

By Commander Matt Avery, Pinole Police Department

On Saturday, January 6th, officers arrested Franklin Michael Gyurnek, a 34-year-old male out of Tennessee, for carjacking. (See related article)

At approximately 2:15 PM, officer responded to the 1500 block of Fitzgerald Drive on a report of a male subject lying on the ground between Best Buy and the former Kmart buildings. Officers arrived and found a male with cuts and abrasions on his body. The victim told officers his car had been stolen from the Motel 6 parking lot, and he had been dragged across the street when the suspect fled in the vehicle. Officers requested medical assistance, and AMR paramedics treated the victim at the scene.

The victim told investigating officers that a subject that he met a few days earlier at Motel 6 had stolen his vehicle. When the victim reached into his car to try to stop the suspect, he was dragged by the vehicle. The victim eventually fell from the car, and the suspect fled east through the parking lot and was last seen via surveillance cameras southbound on Appian Way.

Two witnesses stopped, provided aid to the victim, and called 911. The witnesses and victim provided officers with a description of the suspect, and the victim added that the suspect was wearing a brown Carhartt jacket and brown boots. Pinole PD Dispatch broadcast a “Be on the lookout” for the stolen vehicle to surrounding agencies, and at approximately 3:10 PM, a deputy with the Contra Costa Sherrif’s Office located the vehicle on San Pablo Dam Road near Milton Road. When deputies attempted to stop the car, the suspect fled, and a pursuit ensued on surface streets through Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, and Berkeley.

During the pursuit, the suspect ran several red lights and drove on the wrong side of the roadway for a short distance. The suspect eventually yielded to officers near the intersection of University Avenue and San Pablo Avenue and was safely taken into custody. There were no collisions, and no one was injured during the pursuit. The suspect was wearing the same clothing when he was arrested as what the victim described he was wearing during the carjacking.

Gyurnek (born 10/14/1989) was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for carjacking (PC 215(a)), assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1)), and felony evading (VC 2800.2(a) and VC 2800.4).

We thank the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, the San Pablo Police Department, and the Berkeley Police Department for their assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Esparza by calling 510-724-1111.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the 5’11”, 226-lb. Gyurnek, who is listed as Hispanic, is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $230,000 bail. According to localcrimenews.com, the suspect lives in Shelbyville, TN and was also arrested in San Bernardino County, CA on Dec. 1, 2023, for DUI alcohol/drugs with blood alcohol content great than .08, battery on an officer or emergency personnel with injury and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

According to one of his Facebook pages, Gyurnek lives in Manchester, TN and attended Shelbyville Central High School. His other two other Facebook pages list him as Franklin Gyurnek, Jr.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Richmond Police Department

PATROL ACTIVITY REPORT – WEEKLY OVERVIEW for DECEMBER 25-31, 2023

Below is an overview of significant service activity provided by RPD patrol officers during their scheduled shifts. Please note that activity shared in these segments are provided only as an overview, and do not reflect the entirety of service calls and reports taken throughout each shift.

12/25 – DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM

Officers responded to the 1300 block of 24th Street for two ShotSpotter activations. Officers located multiple casings at the scene. A neighborhood canvass for damaged vehicles or residences yielded negative results. #11511

12/25 – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision in the 700 block of 7th Street. The suspect struck a parked vehicle, was seen exiting his vehicle and attempting to walk away from the scene. Officers contacted the suspect who displayed objective signs of alcohol intoxication. During the course of the investigation, officers located a shotgun. The suspect was arrested without incident. #11513

12/26 – ARMED ROBBERY

Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in the 900 block of Carlson Blvd. The victim was walking when he was approached by three suspects. One of the suspects pushed the victim while another brandished a firearm and demanded the victim’s belongings. All three suspects fled with the victim’s wallet, jewelry and cellphone. An area check was conducted with negative results. #11562

12/27 – CARJACKING/ATTEMPT

Officers responded to a report of a brandishing of a firearm in the area of Seacliff Drive and Waterline Place. The victim was inside his parked vehicle when the suspects parked near the victim and two suspects exited their vehicle. The suspects asked the victim to roll down his windows while brandishing a firearm. The victim drove off to seek help. The suspects fled prior to officers’ arrival. An area check was conducted with negative results. #11600

12/28 – RUNAWAY JUVENILE

Officers responded to a report of two runaway juveniles in the 800 block of S. 45th Street. The family reported they noticed the juveniles missing upon waking up. Detectives located the juveniles in a nearby City the same day. The juveniles were returned home safely. #11610

12/28 – DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the 2200 block of Potrero Avenue and located evidence of a shooting. Officers were able to develop a description of a vehicle that was believed to have been used in the shooting, and they found a car matching the description parked just three blocks away in the 1900 block of Potrero Ave. Officers contacted the occupants and saw a firearm in plain view. A subsequent search of the suspect’s vehicle resulted in another loaded firearm being located. The suspects were arrested without incident. #11611

12/28 – ARMED ROBBERY

Officers were flagged down in the area of Regatta Blvd. and Melville Square. The victim stated he had just been robbed as he pointed out the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene. Officers quickly attempted to catch up to the suspect vehicle, but the suspect fled onto I-580 at a high rate of speed. The victim was meeting with the suspect to sell a pair of shoes when the suspect brandished a firearm and fled with the victim’s shoes. #11616

12/29 – SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

Officers responded to three ShotSpotter activations in the area of 15th Street and Bissell Avenue. At the scene, officers located two victims suffering non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Both victims were standing at the cash register inside Mike’s Liquor when gunfire was heard. Officers recovered multiple casings at the scene. An area check was conducted for the suspects with negative results. This investigation is ongoing. #11651

12/29 – ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

Officers conducted an enforcement stop in the area of McBryde Avenue and Wilson Avenue. During the course of the investigation, officers located a “ghost gun”. The suspect was booked without incident. #11653

12/30 – SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area of 20th Street and Nevin Avenue. At the scene, officers located two victims suffering non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. The victims were walking when gunfire was heard. Multiple casings were recovered at the scene. This investigation is ongoing. #11673

 

Reckless driving leads to illegal ghost gun arrest; second gun was used in shooting

By San Pablo Police Department

On Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, swing shift officers observed a vehicle driving recklessly through the city. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. During the investigation, a loaded illegal firearm was located inside the vehicle. The driver who is a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing any weapons. The driver was arrested for reckless driving and various firearm related charges.

Around 3am, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, San Pablo Police Officers responded to a shooting at Davis Park. Officer Swaleh happened to be in the area and saw a Toyota Prius fleeing Davis Park at a high rate of speed. Officer Swaleh tried to stop the car, but the suspect kept driving till he got home. Once at home, Officer Swaleh and other San Pablo Officers were able to detain the people from the car.

During a search of the car, officers found a Ghost Gun which matched the casings and crime scene from Davis Park. Fortunately, no one was injured during the reckless shooting. The suspect was arrested and given a free ride to jail.

 

School locked down; Richmond, Kensington Police Dept’s assist

By El Cerrito Police Department

On Thursday January 4, 2024, at 2:27 pm, El Cerrito Police Officers responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 2000 block of Tapscott Avenue.  Upon arrival, officers noticed that there was forced entry into the home and two suspects were reportedly inside according to witnesses.  In an abundance of caution, officers contacted nearby Prospect Sierra School and requested that they lock down the school for their safety.

Additional officers from the Richmond Police Department and Kensington Police Department were summoned to assist.  From the front of the residence, officers called to the suspects inside through a broken window after seeing them moving about the home.  The suspects attempted to escape through the rear of the residence but were met with officers in the back, so they retreated back inside.

Officers called into the home numerous times and ordered the suspects to come outside but they did not comply.  Officers forced entry into the home and two suspects were taken into custody with the help of the police K9. Officers recovered a firearm near the front door of the home.

The two suspects, a man and a woman from Nevada, were taken to a local hospital for treatment prior to being booked into the County Jail in Martinez.

By Richmond Police Department

On Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at 11:29 am, RPD dispatch received a ShotSpotter activation in the 2200 block of Potrero Avenue. Officers responded and located evidence of a shooting. Officers were able to develop a description of a vehicle that was believed to have been used in the shooting, and they found a car matching the description parked just three blocks away in the 1900 block of Potrero Avenue.

Officers contacted the occupants and saw a firearm in plain view. A subsequent search of the suspect’s vehicle resulted in another loaded firearm being located.

Thanks to technology and the quick response of our officers, we were able to get two more firearms off our city’s streets, and two criminals will most likely be ringing in the New Year from jail!

Multi-agency effort included San Pablo PD K9

By Hercules Police Department

On Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, at approximately 3:43 AM officers received a notification of an alarm activation at the businesses located at 844 Willow Avenue. Hercules PD along with Pinole Police Department, CONTRA COSTA SHERIFF-OFFICIAL PAGE, San Pablo Police Department K9 began making their way to the location. A Hercules officer arrived on scene and observed an unknown male standing in front of Mountain Mike’s wearing a dark puffy style jacket and dark pants. When the officer entered the parking lot the male was gone. Starbucks, El Cuscatlan and Mountain Mike’s had their glass doors shattered and appeared to have been broken into. Shortly after another officer observed the male running from Foxboro Downs, across from Willow Avenue into the creek. Officers located the male matching the description and successfully detained him by the creek.

With the help of the responding surrounding agencies a stronger perimeter was established and with the assistance of the K9 the businesses were cleared of any outstanding subjects. None were located.

The male was arrested after officers reviewed video surveillance and conducted an investigation. It was later determined he was suspected to be connected with four other burglaries that had occurred last week to the same businesses. The subject was booked into MDF for multiple charges.

By Richmond Police Department

On Christmas Eve, while most people were tucked in bed waiting to wake up and spend Christmas morning with family and friends, our officers were on patrol, ensuring our city streets remained safe.

At around 9:00 pm, officers conducted a vehicle stop for vehicle code violations in the 700 block of 23rd Street. After stopping, the driver immediately exited their vehicle and refused to follow officers’ directions. The driver ultimately attempted to flee from officers on foot, but after a short foot pursuit, officers were able to take the driver into custody. They found the driver to be in possession of a loaded “ghost gun” and additional magazines. A search of his vehicle resulted in another firearm, even more high-capacity pistol magazines, and marijuana being located.

Thankfully, officers were able to get this convicted felon into custody while recovering two illegal guns, all without any injuries. The driver was transported to the RPD jail, where he was booked for weapons violations. Unfortunately for this suspect, he spent his Christmas in jail with only coal in his stocking!