Spectrum 9-04 - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly ...

Redwood City news briefs
RCPD seeks suspects in jogger assault
Police are searching for three men suspected of kidnapping and sexually assaulting
a female jogger at gunpoint in Redwood City on Feb. 10.
About 11:15 a.m. Thursday, the 23-year-old woman was jogging in the area of
Massachusetts Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas when two men forced her into a white,
full-sized cargo van driven by a third man, police said. The woman was sexually assaulted
inside the van and released about one hour later in the same neighborhood,
according to police.
The two men who forced the alleged victim into the van are described as Hispanic
men in their mid-20s. One is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 140
pounds. The suspect with the handgun is said to be approximately 6 feet tall with a thin
build. The driver of the vehicle is described as Hispanic, in his mid-20s.
Anyone who recently witnessed suspicious individuals or activity in the neighborhood
is asked to call Detective Eric Acha at (650) 780-7100.
Fire causes $70K in damage, no injuries
A two-alarm fire in Redwood City caused about $70,000 in damage on Jan. 30,
but the blaze did not cause any injuries, according to Redwood City Battalion Chief
Steve Krause.
The fire at 28 Finger Ave. may have started in a tree or shed around 2:35 p.m.
and then spread to the roof of the main house on the property, according to Krause. It
came under control around 3:15 p.m., and caused about $55,000 in damage to the
property and $15,000 in damage to the contents of the home, Krause said.
The house is vacant, and only one person lives on the property in a cottage behind
the house, Krause said.
Applicants sought for Citizens’ Academy
Redwood City is now accepting applications for the spring 2005 session of Partnership
Academy for Community Teamwork (PACT), a nine-week citizens’ academy
to begin in April.
The academy will offer citizens a hands-on overview of Redwood City management
and governance. The goal of PACT is to involve and engage residents in learning
about city government and to improve communication between city government and
those who live or work in Redwood City.
Sessions include information about the City Council, the Fire Department, library
and other departments. Participants will learn how decisions are made, how city
funds are allocated and how city departments work with each other. Participants will
also have an opportunity to speak with City Council members about issues, projects,
politics and plans for the city.
PACT meets each Thursday evening between April 7 and June 2. Enrollment is
limited to 40 people. High school students are encouraged to apply, with permission
from a parent or guardian.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 11, and can be picked up at
in the city manager’s office at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road in Redwood City. Applications
are also available online at http://www.redwoodcity.org. For more information
call the city manager’s office at (650) 780-7300.
The Spectrum • Redwood City’s Monthly Magazine
NEWS
Task force makes big Redwood City hashish bust
A mysterious Fed Ex box left at an empty home last week in Redwood City contained
13 pounds of hashish, the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force reported.
Golan Yakobey, 36, of Redwood City, was arrested Tuesday at his residence in the
700 block of Esther Lane. A mysterious package found to contain drugs on Monday was
linked to him, Cmdr. Mark Wyss reported.
San Mateo County Sheriff ’s Deputies received a report of a suspicious package at a
residence on Don Court in unincorporated Redwood City on Monday, Wyss reported.
The package was a large Fed Ex delivery box that had been left at a vacant house. A note on
the door instructed the deliverer to leave the box outside, according to Wyss.
While the deputies were investigating the box, a suspicious vehicle drove by the
house, Wyss reported. When Deputies questioned the driver, identified as Yakobey, he
claimed he was lost. Deputies obtained his identification and let him go.
Sheriff ’s deputies took possession of the package as found property and opened it
to discover a large suitcase, according to Wyss. Inside a false compartment in the suitcase,
deputies found the 13 pounds of hashish with an estimated street value of $60,000 to
$100,000.
An investigation led back to the suspicious vehicle seen in the area, Wyss reported.
The note left on the door of the Don Court residence had left a telephone number that
matched that of the suspicious vehicle’s driver. Based on the information, a search warrant
was issued for a residence in the 700 block of Esther Lane. When the Narcotics Task Force
served the warrant on Tuesday at 5 a.m., they arrested Yakobey for attempting to escape. A
search of his residence also turned up more hashish and $12,960.
Yakobey was charged with possession of concentrated cannabis for sale, importation
of concentrated cannabis, and maintaining a place for the sale of concentrated cannabis.
The package originated out of Anjuna, India, according to Wyss, but the hashish
was made in the Middle East. Details of the investigation have been forwarded to the FBI
Joint Terrorism Task Force.
— Bay City News
Fire displaces more than 30 on Hampshire
A two-alarm fire in Redwood City on Jan. 26 displaced about 32 people from
their homes and caused about $20,000 in damage, authorities report. The residents
live in five units of an apartment building at 629 Hampshire Ave. that were damaged by
the 12:48 p.m. blaze, American Red Cross spokeswoman Sara O’Brien said.
On arrival at the scene, firefighters found a single-car garage on fire, and saw
flames lapping at an apartment directly above the burning garage. Fire personnel
were able to control the blaze by 1:03 p.m., but not before the Pacific Gas & Electric
Co. power line to the building was burned through, causing the live line to drop in front
of the building. PG&E was called to de-energize the power line.
The fire caused about $15,000 in damage to the structure of the building, and
$5,000 in damage to the contents, according to the fire department. No injuries to residents
or firefighters were reported.
—Bay City News
February 2005 • 7