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News Briefs
Man Wanted for Robbing Liquor Stores
A man suspected of an armed robbery of the Redwood City and Menlo
Park Beverages and More is thought to be linked to numerous burglaries
throughout the county.
On May 1, a man demanded $400 from the manager’s office at the
Redwood City BevMo, located at 1745 El Camino Real. Sixteen minutes later,
the same man is believed to have robbed the Menlo Park BevMo, located at
700 El Camino Real, according to San Mateo County court documents. San
Jose police now believe the same man committed a robbery Sunday, June 12,
in the 1100 block of Lincoln Avenue in San Jose. In total, the man is tied to
more than 20 such robberies throughout the Bay Area.
Described as a black man in his mid-30s, the suspect is thought to be 5
feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches, about 200 pounds, with black hair and brown
eyes, according to San Jose police.
Earlier, San Mateo County executed a search warrant related to the BevMo
robberies for a cell phone bill.
The man is considered dangerous. Anyone with information is asked
to contact Detective Adam Hutson in the San Jose Police Department’s
robbery unit at 408-277-4166. Anyone who wants to provide information
anonymously can call 408-947-7867 or visit www.svcrimestoppers.org.
RWC Norteño Caught in New Mexico for Local Homicide
A fourth and possibly final suspect has been arrested in New Mexico in
connection with a November gang-related shooting in Redwood City that left
21-year-old Julio Pantoja Cuevas dead.
Jaime Treto Rodriguez, 20, was arrested in Santa Fe after officers
responded to a report of a domestic dispute in a casino, Redwood City police
Sgt. Sean Hart said.
Rodriguez is a known Norteño and will be charged with being affiliated
with a criminal street gang, Hart said.
Police in New Mexico determined that Rodriguez was wanted in San
Mateo County in connection with the homicide of Cuevas, who died Nov. 28
in an alley near the 400 block of Madison Avenue after being shot several
times, Hart said.
“We had an idea he either fled to Mexico or New Mexico,” Hart told the
Daily Journal. Rodriguez waived an extradition hearing in New Mexico and
is expected to be returned to San Mateo County in the next few days, Hart said.
Investigators believe the shooting followed a shoving match and an
argument over gang colors.
Three other suspects have already been arrested in connection with the homicide.
Redwood City resident Michael Rodriguez and Palo Alto resident Mario
Cazares, both now 18 years old, were arrested the day after the shooting and
remain in custody without bail, according to the San Mateo County District
Attorney’s Office. Both suspects pleaded not guilty to homicide charges Jan. 11.
Police also arrested a 15-year-old suspect at his home in January who
was then booked into the county’s Youth Services Center for murder and
participation in a criminal street gang.
Michael Rodriguez is the suspected shooter in the incident, police said, and
is not related to Jaime Rodriguez, the suspect arrested in Santa Fe.
On the night of the homicide, Cuevas was allegedly visiting three female
friends at an apartment complex at 426 Madison Ave. in Redwood City.
He was allegedly wearing a navy blue jacket with the letters “LA” on the
back when he exchanged words with a group of Norteños standing across the
street, with one sitting on a bicycle.
One of the suspects started punching Cuevas before Michael Rodriguez
allegedly pulled a weapon and fired, according to police. Cuevas was found
dead in an alleyway adjacent to the Madison Avenue apartments. Norteño
gang graffiti was clearly displayed on the exterior of the apartment complex
the day after Cuevas died.
Police were originally looking for five to eight suspects involved in the
incident but now think all of the suspects are in custody. “Jaime Rodriguez is
the final suspect we are aware of now,” Hart said.
Teen Arrested for Burglary, Second Suspect Sought
A man returning home to his C Street home in Redwood City discovered two
male juveniles attempting to pry open his rear sliding glass door, according
to police.
The victim yelled at the suspects, who then fled, and a chase ensued,
according to police. Responding officers located one of the teens in the area
of Mezes Park. The suspect, a 16-year-old Menlo Park resident, was identified
by the victim and was booked into the San Mateo County Juvenile Detention
Center for burglary and possession of burglary tools, according to police.
Anyone who has any information regarding this burglary is encouraged to
contact Detective Val Cook 650-780-7697 or Sgt. Sean Hart 650-780-7681.
As I Was Saying… (Continued from p6)
understanding the high cost of living in the Bay Area), these six affordable
units are priced to be available to households earning up to 120 percent of the
area median income, which equates to $1,890/month for a one-bedroom and
$2,370/month for a two-bedroom apartment. That means to qualify for one
of these units, for a household of two people, your annual income can be no
more than $95,450.
I am thinking the same thing you are — sorry, that does not seem like very
affordable housing to me. First of all, if a household is making over $95K, that
is pretty good, if you ask me, and I don’t think that is “moderate” at all. At
least not for Redwood City.
There are always different configurations used to determine what
“BMR rental units” will be priced at. The way they figured this particular
development definitely benefits the developer and not those who are truly in
need of housing at below-market rates. That is too bad and totally undermines
the spirit in which such units are made available to those deserving and
needing them in our community.
The email went on to state, “Overall, housing prices are still sky-high in the
Bay Area, making the City’s work to help provide for affordable housing an
important factor for a lot of people.”
I feel that this project and the abuse of the system in determination of the
“BMR rental units” are not indicative of how other projects in our community
help to benefit those needing assistance. I mean, really, who can afford a one-
bedroom apartment for $1,890 and be considered “moderate income”?
In case you have not seen the project or taken a tour of it, it is a stunning
facility and one I sought to live in and purchase. I can’t say that I would
discourage anyone from renting there, regardless of income levels. It is perfect
for my lifestyle and others. Secured building and parking, fitness center, a
common area for socializing that overlooks our city’s hills, and the units are
spacious and very upscale. With the exception of the gas station on Woodside
Road that some units have to look down upon, the project is the type of
development we need more of in our community.
After I submitted my application to purchase a unit, the developers decided
to go the rental route due to lack of interest in sales. To say the least, I was
disappointed. Since I was “in the system,” I was promised to be kept in the
loop and informed of the future plans for the project. I was not and only found
the new information from the city’s email.
I don’t think they are so perfect after all.
Here’s to communication.
As I was saying…
.…
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