Police Bulletin Police Bulletin (August 30, 2002)

Attempted carjackers arrested

Pleasanton police arrested two juveniles, whose names were not released, in the BART parking lot for an alleged 7 a.m. carjacking attempt in a hotel lot on Hopyard Road on Aug. 27. One of the suspects was also wanted by Alameda County on an unrelated robbery charge.

According to police, the victim, Robert Hardin, 46, of Texas was loading items into his car when he was approached by one of the suspects. He asked him for the time and then suddenly lunged, grabbing Hardin's arms.

As Hardin struggled and screamed for help, a second suspect tried to take his wallet from his pants pocket. Feigning a weapon and threatening to shoot him, one of suspects demanded Hardin's car keys. The victim continued to yell for help, and the suspects fled on foot east on Chabot Drive.

Shortly afterward, two police officers spotted the suspects and arrested the pair without incident at the BART parking lot.

Both suspects were booked into Juvenile Hall in San Leandro.

Hardin received minor injuries but did not require medical attention. Officer injured in car chase

Police Officer Van Rader received minor back injuries during a morning car chase Aug. 27 that ended on a dead-end street with the suspect ramming the officer's car and getting away.

Rader, a 23-year veteran on the force, was patrolling the Pleasanton Middle School parking lot and came upon an automobile theft in progress. The suspect fled in the stolen car with the officer in pursuit.

During the chase, the suspect turned onto Diamond Court, a dead-end street. Cornered, the suspect turned the vehicle around and rammed the officer's car. Rader was unable to continue the pursuit and radioed for assistance.

Responding police units recovered the stolen vehicle in a nearby neighborhood with its engine still running; however, the suspect was not found.

Rader, who is the school resource officer at Foothill High and Hart and Pleasanton middle schools, was transported to ValleyCare Medical Center, where he was later released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Brian Laurence at 931-5134.