This happened to a friend of mine in So. Calif. and it was not a good scene. As the fall season approaches, we will be seeing more and more "salespeople" in our Pleasanton neighborhoods. Do NOT open your door. State loudly that you're not interested or just talk loudly to another person in your house (even if you're the only one home!) That way they know you're home and not alone. These people have nothing to offer our neighborhoods......

and WHERE did this happen?

Smart teenagers-outstanding police work. Agree with above comment. I understand this happened somewhere around Hansen Park. Again our Police are very good.

Great work by the teens and by the police. You not only protected yourselves and your home, girls, but you+police made it safer for all of us. V scary. Thank you!

As an observer of the event, I have to say I was impressed by how quickly police responded. I was concerned though that the police conducted their manhunt with guns drawn as neighbors and children were standing on front lawns, not knowing there was a manhunt in progress. Two kids actually rode their bikes into the neighborhood as it was being conducted...no one told them there was a manhunt going on. It may have been safer for all involved the the police had communicated with the neighborhood what was in progress and told everyone to go into their homes. A big thank you to the police for keeping us safe and responding as quickly as they did

It's about time somebody says something nice about the PPD. So many of you are so entitled and willing to trash the police. cry babies...

it's important to always acknowledge people who knock on your door or ring your doorbell. it lets them know that someone is home and they will not attempt to enter your house to perform criminal activities. you need not open your door, infact, unless you know the person or deem them well intentioned, you shouldn't open your door. if they act suspicious or insist on you opening the door, call the police.

thanks PPD for catching these criminals!

What did you expect, ds, a press conference??

It's safe to assume, when you see police cars; flashing lights; police dogs, and officers with guns drawn, that there is 'something' going on.

The adult neighbors should round up the kids and get them out of the way. The police may be looking for someone who's armed.

unclehomerr..

When we are conduct a "manhunt" we always have our guns out becasue we don't know if the suspects have weapons. We always try to warn citizens what's happening but we need a little common sense from you. So if you see the police with their guns out GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE.

Good work law enforcement...

My only concern is the fact the young lady confronted the dude in her home without an adult present. If this dude had realized the young ladies were home alone, and since he probably had no knowledge of the 911 call, things could have gotten ugly until PPD arrived...

My youngsters were taught to get the hell out and go to a neighbors if something like this happened when the adults weren't present in the home...

I hope Rin-Tin-Tin was allowed to have some fun with the dude in the storage shed. I seem to recall, some time ago, there was a story on this forum about the Safeway bank robber that refused to come out of a storage shed until Rin-Tin-Tin was sent in to have a little talk with him. If I remember correctly, the article stated the dude was taken to Valley Memorial for "medical attention" after the encounter.

Hey, it probably get boring rideing around in the back of a police car all day. Let Rin-Tin-Tin have some fun occasionally. He/she has earned it...

Why does the City of Pleasanton allow soliciting door to door? I have a "no solicitor" sign and they just ignore it and ring the bell. I feel forced to at least acknowledge the person at the door so they know someone is home. My usual reply is "I'm sorry, but I can't come to the door right now". I'd rather say "can't you read the sign just over the doorbell?"

They are supposed to get s permit. But these suspects were not really soliciting they were casing the joint.

I have heard several cases of burglary attempt I think it is the responsibility of every individual to take the precautionary measure so as to avoid incidence such as burglary. As technology progresses I think there must be a tight security alert that has to be upheld. Hacking, email scams and any other similar types of swindling scattered on the net. You have to be careful enough in dealing such kind of circumstance. Anyway, has anyone heard about the Avi Ben Stella car crash? The Avi Ben Stella car crash is part of an e-mail spam campaign trying to solicit prayers or donations for a 12 year old boy, Avi Ben Stella, killed or injured in a car crash, and it's all a bunch of bull. There is no voodoo to chain mail, just someone who wants your money. So if you see an e-mail about the Avi Ben Stella car crash don't open it – you'll get a virus or end up needing debt settlement relief

For more info visit: Web Link

I feel compelled to also comment on ds's comments. When police are searching for a suspect I fully expect them to protect themselves and have their guns drawn. And when I see cops with their guns drawn, I don't stand around and watch them. Get inside and do what you can to get the kids inside. The cops are too busy searching for someone to have to stop and tell you to use common sense. Think about it!

If a solicitor comes to my door... I first ask to see their solicitor's permit. If they say they forgot it; left it in the hotel; dropped it, or lost it somewhere and are going to get another one... I take their picture.

I keep a camera by the front door for this purpose. I don't need a good picture through the screendoor.. just the act of taking the pic is enough to send them down the street without bothering the neighbors.

I also tell them I work for the City [partially true] and will be happy to talk with them when they come back with the permit.

Never had one come back...

unclehomerr..

In case anyone is still following this story, here's the latest:
CASE# 0940054
Felony Breaking and Entering
Felony Attempted Residential Robbery
8/25 - Arraigned
8/30 - Plead: GUILTY
10/8 - Sentencing scheduled (Hayward Court)

I will update when I have sentencing information. Hopefully the sentencing is adequate, although unfortunately I'm told that public stonings have been banned. Clearly the risk-reward balance still favors residential robbery as a career for far too many people.

Also, to follow on the previous posts regarding solicitors, I firmly believe that door-to-door solicitation should be illegal. I have NEVER had someone come to my door and afterward been grateful for the opportunity to donate to their cause, or buy their yard service, or learn more about their version of God. At this point, door-to-door solicitation is an all too frequent cover and method for criminals and should no longer be allowed.

We had a recent incident where a solicitor jumped out of a white van and ran (yes ran) up to my daughter (driver pulled away), followed her into the garage and ask if her parents were home. Ghost white she came into the house to get us and we told the guy to go away. He proceeded to walk in a different direction, but after seeing us leave in our cars proceeded to come back and just stare at our house & our neighbors house. We called the police and unfortunately they didn't find him to determine his legitimacy.

Other neighbors saw the guy and got an equally bad feeling about him, but for whatever reason did not call the police. It time people! Getting a bad feeling about a solicitor and locking your doors protects you for that moment, but does not help fellow neighbors.

I too will be taking photos of solicitors and will NEVER open the door for them. This guy unfortunately caught us trying to get out the door and unfortunately my daughter was the first out.