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Bay Area Sunday News Roundup

By Bay City News
Sunday February 24, 2013 - 05:03:00 PM

Legendary rapper MC Hammer was arrested during a stop at an East Bay Area mall earlier this week for allegedly resisting an officer, a police sergeant said Saturday. 

Stanley Kirk Burrell - known to most as MC Hammer - was arrested Thursday night at the Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center next to interstate Highway 580 in Dublin, Dublin Police Services Sgt. Herb Walters said in an email. 

Walters said Burrell was arrested in the shopping center parking lot around 10:20 p.m. on suspicion of obstructing an officer in the performance of their duties and resisting an officer. 

The Tracy resident was cited and later released. 

It's unclear what prompted the arrest, but the rapper best known for 1990s mega-hits "U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit to Quit," took to Twitter today to relay his side of the story. 

According to Burrell, a police officer approached and arrested him without cause. 

In one Tweet, he said the officer "was tapping on my car window, I rolled down the window and he said, 'Are you on parole or probation?'" 

"It was comical to me until he pulled out his guns, blew his whistle and yelled for help...but make no mistake, he's dangerous," he tweeted. 

When asked to comment on the rapper's version of the arrest, Walters wrote in an email, "We patrol the area of Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center, especially at nighttime hours. That is about all I can say for now." 

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Passengers walked away with only minor injuries after shots were fired at an AC Transit bus in East Oakland early Saturday morning, a spokesman for the transit service said. 

Around 12:20 a.m., AC Transit officials received reports that someone had opened fire on a bus near the intersection of 55th Avenue and International Boulevard, spokesman Clarence Johnson said. 

Someone fired five shots at the bus, shattering its back window. 

None of the nine passengers inside the bus were hit by the gunfire. 

Four passengers reported minor injuries after falling as the bus driver sped up to get away from the shooter.  

Johnson said those passengers were taken to hospitals, while the remaining passengers were transferred to another AC Transit bus. 

It is unclear why the bus was targeted in the shooting, and no arrests have been made. 

Police did not have any further information on the incident this morning. 

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One person was injured in a shooting near a McDonald's restaurant in Bay Point late Saturday morning, a sheriff's lieutenant said. 

Deputies were called to the scene of the shooting near the intersection of Mims Avenue and Canal Road around 11:50 a.m., Contra Costa County Sheriff's Lt. David Hartman said. 

The victim, an unidentified male, had been shot in the leg. 

He was taken to a hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. 

An investigation into the shooting is underway, and the sheriff's office did not have any leads on suspects as of this afternoon, Hartman said. 

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Santa Cruz police are searching for a gang member suspected of involvement in a home invasion robbery that ended in a struggle Wednesday morning with the terrified residents. 

Esteban Lopez, 22, is believed to have fled the scene of the robbery on the 500 block of Poplar Ave. Wednesday around 4:20 a.m., and has not yet been located, police said Friday.  

The victims in the home invasion robbery were awakened early Wednesday by two males with their faces covered who demanded cash, Santa Cruz police Deputy Chief Steve Clark said. 

One of the suspects held a screwdriver, the other a decorative sword taken from inside the home, Clark said. 

Both suspects demanded cash and tried and failed to bind the couple with duct tape they found in the home that was old and brittle, Clark said. 

They then resorted to tying the couple with an electrical cord, Clark said. 

After the two intruders learned there were children in the home, they allegedly threatened to harm them, police said. 

At that point, the adult residents freed themselves and fought with the suspects for some time before one of the children called 911 at about 4:25 a.m., police said. 

The residents were able to hold down one suspect in their front yard until officers arrived, but the other escaped with some valuables, Clark said. 

Cuactemoc Xilonzochilt-Zamora, 28, of Santa Cruz, was arrested on suspicion of robbery, burglary, false imprisonment, possession of methamphetamine and assault with a deadly weapon and booked him into the Santa Cruz County Jail. 

Lopez, believed to be the second suspect, is a confirmed "Beach Flats" Sureno gang member with an extensive history of law enforcement contact, police said. He has not been seen at his home, work or other haunts since the robbery.  

Lopez is described as a Hispanic male, around 5 feet 7 inches tall and 130 pounds.  

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should immediately call 911.  

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A Santa Rosa man was arrested Friday after he allegedly robbed a man trying to buy a phone from him, according to police. 

The victim, a 21-year-old Petaluma man, had arranged to meet 19-year-old Ricardo Abrica Zuniga in Santa Rosa on Range Avenue near Jennings Avenue Thursday evening to buy a phone from him, according to Sgt. David Linscomb. 

When they met, however, Abrica allegedly pulled out a gun and ordered the victim to drive him to an ATM machine. 

The victim drove Zuniga to an ATM at the Wells Fargo Bank on B Street in downtown Santa Rosa and withdrew cash, before escaping on foot, Linscomb said. 

Abrica allegedly escaped with the victim's ATM card and wallet, and later allegedly made purchases with the ATM card, Linscomb said.  

Police located Abrica the next day at his apartment on Range Avenue. Evidence related to Thursday's robbery was located inside, and Abrica was arrested on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping with intent to to commit robbery and burglary, as well as a felony probation violation warrant connected to a prior burglary case.  

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San Jose city officials on Saturday celebrated the grand opening of the new Bascom Branch Library. 

The 20,000 square foot library at 1000 S. Bascom Ave., which includes a community living room, tech center, group and quiet study rooms and a teen room, is the 17th bond-funded branch library project to be completed in San Jose, according to library officials. 

"Thanks to our residents' support, San Jose has been able to build new branch libraries throughout the city," said Mayor Chuck Reed. "I am delighted that the new Bascom Library will be providing an important community gathering place for residents of all ages. 

The library also features a family learning center, for families and individuals looking to improve their literacy and life skills, and public art offering a visual timeline of Bascom's culture and history, officials said.  

A $212 million bond passed in 2000 provided funds for the construction of six new and fourteen expanded branch libraries, all but two of which have been completed.  

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Gilroy police are cracking down on drug sales and alcohol related violations at a city park located directly across from a middle school.  

Officers observed numerous violations Friday afternoon in an enforcement effort at Miller Park, including the violation of a restraining order and alcohol violations, police said today.  

Detectives also witnessed a narcotics transaction, in which drugs were being sold from a vehicle to park patrons, including a convicted felon. 

Police arrested and cited several people, including Gilroy resident Richard St. Cloud, who was arrested on suspicion of marijuana sales.  

Police plan further enforcement efforts at the park.  

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Scotts Valley police arrested a man on suspicion of drunk driving and hit and run Friday night after he was allegedly seen hitting two parked cars and driving the wrong way down a street.  

Callers reported seeing a black Chevy Avalanche hit two parked cars and driving the wrong way shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday in the area of La Cuesta Drive and Mt. Hermon Road, Sgt. David Bell said today. 

Officers located the vehicle, which was missing a front tire, a half mile away on the 4200 block of Ls Madrona Drive, Bell said. The driver, Wendell John Samson, was found walking along the side of the road. 

Samson, 69, showed signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests, Bell said. He was taken into custody after witnesses identified him and his missing tire was located at the scene.  

Samson also allegedly damaged landscaping and a city traffic sign.  

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A man was injured in a shooting in East Oakland early Saturday morning, a police officer said. 

The shooting was reported around 1 a.m. near the intersection of 60th Avenue and International Boulevard, Officer J. Moore said. 

The man hit by the gunfire was taken to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. He was last listed in stable condition. 

No suspect information was available in connection with the shooting. 

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Sunny skies are likely in the Bay Area this morning. Highs are likely to be in the upper 50s, with northwest winds up to 10 mph. 

Mostly clear skies are expected this evening. Lows are likely to be in the mid 40s, with southwest winds up to 10 mph. 

Partly cloudy skies are likely Monday. Highs are expected to be in the upper 50s, with northwest winds around 5 mph.