Photo: Stock Image
ALAMEDA — Thefts of vehicles and catalytic converters are skyrocketing in the city of Alameda, where police recently arrested two suspects. Thirteen vehicles were reported stolen during just one weekend in March. More than 30 catalytic converters have been stolen since March 1.
On March 17, officers found a stolen vehicle parked at Alameda South Shore Center shopping mall. Its occupant and Alameda resident Donaven St. John was taken into custody at 3:18 p.m.
A repeat offender with prior convictions, St. John faces multiple charges, including receiving a stolen vehicle. He is ineligible for release on bond, pending a court hearing on April 6.
St. John has been arrested eight times since 2015 for burglary, vehicle thefts, and other offenses. He has two prior convictions for vehicle thefts.
On March 14, another stolen vehicle was found parked at the same mall. Surveillance video shows two persons leaving the vehicle and entering the mall. Inside, store security prevented them from shoplifting.
Shortly before 2 p.m., an officer spotted two individuals matching images of the suspects. They were walking along Otis Drive. They ran when the officer attempted to contact them.
After a brief foot chase, 40-year-old Nailah B. Hepburn, of Oakland, was arrested as the suspected driver of a stolen vehicle. A search of this vehicle turned up several mobile phones, nearly four dozen credit cards, and narcotics.
Hepburn is no longer in custody. She faces 10 charges including vehicle theft. She has been locked up 21 times since 2014. She has prior convictions for burglaries, vehicle thefts and identity thefts.
