Danielle Fowler will work as a police dispatcher, and Anu Kaur as a police officer. Both new hires have had careers in law enforcement prior to joining the staff in Pleasanton.

"We're continuously looking for qualified candidates, and in this case, Dispatcher Fowler and Officer Kaur have the experience and familiarity with the city that makes them an excellent fit for our department," Pleasanton police Sgt. Marty Billdt said.

Before joining the Pleasanton staff, Fowler first completed a sit-along with the dispatch center for San Leandro Police Department. She was then hired by SLPD as a dispatcher in 2006 and served over 15 years.

Kaur began her career as a police explorer with the Pleasanton Police Department. She continued through the program for five years, then served as a cadet with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, and then as a sheriff's deputy.

"(Kaur and Fowler) have an understanding of Pleasanton that enhances the level of customer service and efficiency when helping community members," Billdt continued. "We're excited to have them back in their hometown."

Chief David Swing also shared excitement about the new staff members in the press release announcing their arrivals.

"We gladly welcome Dispatcher Fowler and Officer Kaur as they continue their careers in public safety and serve their hometown," Swing said.

Billdt told the Weekly he encourages local youth intrigued by law enforcement to explore career options with the department and their various programs.

"For teens or young adults who are interested in the criminal justice system/law enforcement, we recommend looking at opportunities such as our summer Teen Academy or our Police Explorer program," Billdt said.

-- Nicole Gonzales

In other news

* A man robbed the Bank of the West branch in the Oak Hills Shopping Center in Pleasanton of an undisclosed amount of money while threatening that he had a gun last week, according to city police.

The Pleasanton Police Department was called to the bank at 5452 Sunol Blvd. at 12:24 p.m. March 2 after a branch employee reported a robbery had just occurred, according to Billdt.

"An unknown suspect, wearing a sweatshirt, facemask and gloves, entered the bank and handed a teller a note stating he had a gun and demanded money. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money," Billdt told the Weekly.

The robber then exited the bank with the cash and fled in an unknown direction, according to the sergeant. "Since this is an active investigation, we're unable to provide any more details at this time," he added.

-- Jeremy Walsh

* Three people were taken into custody Saturday night following a shoplifting spree in San Ramon and collaborative search by multiple police agencies.

Officers with the San Ramon Police Department responded to a report of grand theft by multiple suspects at Ulta Beauty on Crow Canyon Place at 5:10 p.m. Saturday, according to spokesperson Acting Capt. Tami Williams.

After the suspects fled with the stolen merchandise north on Interstate 680, three were located by officers with the Danville Police Department and taken into custody with assistance from Walnut Creek police during a traffic stop, according to Williams.

Stolen merchandise valued at more than $3,400 was also recovered during the stop, and returned to Ulta.

SRPD is not releasing the names of the suspects, Williams said.

-- Jeanita Lyman

* An Alameda County firefighter made his first court appearance Tuesday on federal charges of possession of child pornography, the Department of Justice announced.

Charles Johnathan Harris, 42, from Coulterville, was indicted on March 2. Harris is alleged to have possessed images of child pornography on his iPhone, including images of prepubescent children.

Federal authorities received a tip in the case from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which allegedly uncovered uploaded child pornography over the social media platform Kik, which the defendant allegedly uploaded "even while present at fire stations in Alameda County," the prosecutors said.

Harris surrendered to federal authorities on Tuesday and was released on bond with the condition that his access to the internet be restricted.

His next court appearance will be on April 19.

-- Bay City News Service