|
|
|
Uploaded: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 2:37 PM
Updated: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 7:46 AM
Man arrested after alleged anti-Christian-fueled robbery, disturbance at Stoneridge Mall
Police said the kiosk employee grabbed and broke a crucifix off a man's neck
|
|
by Emily West
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
Police arrested 22-year-old Abdul Walid Hamid of Hayward Wednesday evening after he reportedly robbed a man and scared others at Stoneridge Shopping Center.
He has been charged with battery, terrorist threats and grand theft.
According to reports, Hamid was yelling "Allah is power" and "Islam is great" while holding a pen in a fist over his head and witnesses said he had been shouting anti-Christian comments.
Lt. Mike Elerick said the man was not provoked and didn't threaten violence, but he committed robbery when he grabbed and broke a crucifix off a man's neck.
Coworkers told police that Hamid's actions were out of the ordinary and that he had worked at a kiosk near Starbucks for years.
Police also said they weren't aware of a prior criminal history for the man.
"We had multiple people calling 911," Elerick said. "One female was crouching down and hiding from him. He definitely scared quite a few people."
Elerick said much of the man's speech was similar to the loud scene of the Christian activists who frequent downtown Pleasanton. The big differences, however, is that Hamid was on private property and had physical contact with someone.
"Mall management has the option of making a citizen's arrest on anybody and asking someone to remove themselves for any reason," he said. "If there was no physical contact between Hamid and the customers, with just his actions alone the mall would have asked that he be removed."
Hamid was reportedly not cooperating and was arrested by force and taken to John George Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Police said the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney's office for review and possible charges.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
|
|
| Comments
|
Posted by Jenny, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 5, 2009 at 2:54 pm Great. I start working there soon.
|
|
Posted by Hmmmm, a resident of the Canyon Oaks neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 9:10 am Looks like he was trying to get arrested, or someone put him upto it. Something doesn't sit right with this scene ....
|
|
Posted by mike, a resident of the Danbury Park neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 9:13 am put him in a cell with those activists from downtown and they can yell at each other, stay out of my town!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
Posted by andy, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 9:54 am He was a taken as a 5150 from the scene and taken to the hospital for psych eval. He wasn't trying to get arrested. He just jumped a little too far into the deep end.
|
|
Posted by SteveP, a resident of the Parkside neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 9:57 am
SteveP is a member (registered user) of Pleasanton Weekly Peace and tolerance. right....
|
|
Posted by tyu, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:18 am Cage match...the Mall Screamer vs. Cry for God Yeller. We all win.
|
|
Posted by fun is yet to come, a resident of the Castlewood Heights neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:16 am THE FUN IS YET TO COME. WAIT UNTIL BRAT OPENS THE MALL STATION.
|
|
Posted by wow this is crazy, a resident of another community, on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:42 am [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
|
|
Posted by selena, a resident of another community, on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:47 am This is a HATE CRIME. Don't make excuses for this guy.
|
|
Posted by Not PC, a resident of the Amador Estates neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 1:23 pm They always make excuses for these guys. He is the next Fort Hood perp. Oh no you can't profile these guys blah,blah, blah. He's not a 5150. [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
|
|
Posted by Naysayer, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 2:12 pm How utterly fantastic! First a minor beating in Pleasanton, then more of the events that just transpired at Ft. Hood will be coming to our community. Shhhh, don't say anything to upset their muslim beliefs, [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
Religion of peace? Methinks not.
|
|
Posted by Linda, a resident of the Val Vista neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 2:54 pm I agree with Naysayer...... America has their head buried in the sand. We have to be vigilant about what is going around us. There were all kinds of red flags with the Major at Ft Hood. The man at the mall is another red flag. [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language] Not all Muslims are like this, but we here in America have to know the difference and stop sugar coating the real facts. Makes me sick when we can't have a Manger at Christmas or the ten commandments displayed, but have to tolerate such behavior of people that hate us. Wake up America....
|
|
Posted by de, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 3:26 pm thanks Linda,
Hate crimes go both ways!
|
|
Posted by mike, a resident of the Danbury Park neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 3:39 pm great idea putting a bart station at the mall, once that opens up there will be no more after dark shopping for us, same as bayfair mall and southland mall. the punks, hoodlums and wanna be terrorists are lining up to claim new turf!!
|
|
Posted by Stay Cool, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 4:26 pm Linda,
How are we being asked to tolerate this behavior?
|
|
Posted by Not PC, a resident of the Amador Estates neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 6:52 pm Stay Cool,
oh how about having to fly on airplain with Muslims with full intent of disturbing the rest of the people during the flight. Then having been extorted to the tune of a half a million dollars. When the airlines pay these settlements we pay more in air fares. Yes Stay Cool we have to tolerate them in schools, stores, and soon we will have to take crosses off of churches. But Stay Cool the winds are changing for the better.
Linda you are right on the money. These people aren't about freedom. For them it's their way or die.
|
|
Posted by Stay Cool, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 6:54 pm Wow.
|
|
Posted by Steve, a resident of the Avila neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 7:32 pm Stay Cool...I am surprised that you -- or anyone else who is paying attention -- are surprised by this.
Not PC...good post.
|
|
Posted by GEORGE, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:19 pm CAPITAL PUNISHMENT....WILL CURE ALL PROBLEMS!! TAXES, JAIL OCCUPANCY, CRIME ON THE STREET, HATE CRIMES, TERRORISTS, ETC....
|
|
Posted by T.H., a member of the Fairlands Elementary School community, on Nov 7, 2009 at 11:52 am PC - Stay Cool said it best with his responce, but I had to point out Steve's Good post comment and again say "Wow". Let's admittedly take something out of context,
"...we have to tolerate them in schools, stores,..."
...What do you hear?
My neighbor has dark skin is, muslum and has a 2 year old who is about the same age as my child. Watch them play together while writing, supporting or even reading that post and then tell me how you feel. People suck.
|
|
Posted by T.H., a member of the Fairlands Elementary School community, on Nov 7, 2009 at 11:53 am George - So are you saying you want this guy to get the death penalty? Some would say I'm a liberal but I am a strong supporter of the death penalty and actually think ATLEAST every repeat offender of rape, child molestation, and a few other crimes should be put to death, and I'd throw the switch, but an unarmed public disturbance with someone shouting religous slurs (Cry to God anyone?) must not be it. It's his religion? Is it that he grabbed a cross? He did not try to run away or get away with doing it, he continued standing right there, knowing security would be coming. It was not a real robbery, it was a demonstration that crossed the line when touching someone or their property. From reading posts on here I would not be surprised if it was someone who taunted him relentlessly for the many years he worked there.
|
|
Posted by Shocked, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2009 at 2:54 am WOW. I find myself questioning responses to this article, more than I do the actions of the man who acted out at the mall. I don't know the entire situation, but based on the article, it does sound like he went over the top. A 5150 sounds appropriate.
WOW. I can't believe these responses. I'm more concerned about the HATE driven remarks, than I am about the man who was arrested.
|
|
Posted by T.H., a resident of the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2009 at 10:14 pm Shocked - You must be new on here. If this forum is really a true reflection of the community and I was a gay, black, democrat that was Muslim I would head for de' hills!
|
|
Posted by Lee, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 8:24 am Seems that this man crossed the line between peaceful and aggressive when he grabbed someone's necklace. On a larger scale, WAKE UP AMERICA!
The Muslim fanatics are not able to tolerate anyone else. It is THEIR WAY OR DIE!!
There are Muslims that are not fanatics. They deserve to be here along with everyone else.
[Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]
|
|
Posted by T.H., a resident of the Pleasanton Meadows neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 8:39 am The Christian fanatics are not able to tolerate anyone else. It is THEIR WAY OR DIE!! There are Christians that are not fanatics. They deserve to be here along with everyone else. Find these fanatics and throw them out of our country. If they return, shoot them. Problem solved.
How's it feel because it's just as true. Why don't we just keep it to criminals and realize that there are bad people of all sizes, religions, sexual orientations, etc.
|
|
Posted by jimf01, a resident of another community, on Nov 9, 2009 at 10:03 am The Muslim fanatics are not able to tolerate anyone else.
The Christian fanatics are not able to tolerate anyone else.
Both statements are true. However, only one religion of these two is CURRENTLY organizing armies, ruling entire countries, and executing people for exercising their faith.
TH, you and I both know that persons who are gay, black, muslim and democrat can express their views and live peacefully in this community, and can do so in most of the US (not speaking for Southern Idaho here).
You and I also both know that there are Muslim countries in which this same person would be put to death.
Good Muslims and good Christians, - good people PERIOD - should be objecting in the strongest terms to the actions of this young man in the mall. This was a hate crime, by definition.
Hate crimes are criminal acts or attempted criminal acts against an individual or group of individuals because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion... -->Web Link
|
|
Posted by Bryan Moran, a resident of the Pleasanton Heights neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 10:51 am Good point Jim01,
There are a lot of wackos out there, it is important we don't become one of them by reacting to their actions. Indeed it is vital to keep a clear eye and a cool head. We are good people at heart. This does seem to be one man with mental issues, it is bad for him. The countries that rally their people with offical "Death to America" day are another issue, which bodes carefull watching. It is the world we live in.
|
|
Posted by jimf01, a resident of another community, on Nov 9, 2009 at 11:34 am Thanks Bryan, but I am not so sure about this guy. He had no record and was gainfully employed, apparently.
He may have just gone off his meds, but assume for a moment he is a radicalized muslim, and a crucifix wearing customer makes some type of religious comment.
Hamid flips out and the PD shows up, to quote the story he "was reportedly not cooperating and was arrested by force", the authorities have limited options at that point.
Book him for assault and/or robbery, and they could be accused of ignoring his words and not taking the precaution of taking him in on a 5150. Your average LEO doesn't run across this type of thing, like, ever, so yeah, the guy appears to be as nutty as a fruitcake.
So what happens next? If they take him in and he is diagnosed as not kookoo, does it then become an assault, robbery, or maybe a hate crime? DA's decision, right? I would like some follow-up.
|
|
Posted by jimf01, a resident of another community, on Nov 9, 2009 at 11:40 am acgov.org inmate locator says he is charged with a number of crimes and he is being arraigned at 1:30pm today in Pleasanton Court
|
|
Posted by jimf01, a resident of another community, on Nov 9, 2009 at 11:53 am Very interesting, according to Santa Rita records, there is a 422.6 PC charge, misdemeanor hate crime
|
|
Posted by kckc, a resident of San Ramon, on Nov 10, 2009 at 4:05 pm another reason why i dont go to stoneridge anymore,straight to walnut creek is where my friends and committees will be shopping for xmas..5150 indeed!
|
|
Posted by Jeff S., a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2009 at 2:11 pm If this was a Christian-on-Muslim crime, it would be international front-page news for days. Half the middle east would be on fire with riots. I heard about it for the first time this morning on Armstrong and Getty radio. The bias in the main-stream media is stunning. After Ft. Hood, Janet Napolitano expressed concern about a backlash against Muslims...this rhetoric is like The Emperor's New Clothes. As far as I know, there's never been any backlash against Muslims since 9/11. Our leaders and the media are paralyzed with political correctness and I think it puts us all at risk.
|
|
Posted by gmartinez, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Nov 22, 2009 at 11:38 am Well , let me see Lt. Elerick stated that the arrestee didnt threaten violence? Hmmm brandishing a pen as a weapon [ there is a movie where a pen is used to stab a guys throat] he is charged with a felony terroist threat..he had to be taken by force ..resisting arrest...rip something off my person I will return the "violent act" so at what point is he threatening violence ..maybe if he took flying lessons...oh that isnt violent. So Lt. why did you bring up the Christians? I dont get it. Are you making this religious. Well I feel safe now with the Lt. evaluation of violence. Just my opinion.
|
|
|
| |
|
Send this story
Print this story
