On Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 6:40 pm, an El Cerrito Police Department officer had just left the police department and was driving northbound on San Pablo Ave. As he approached Big 5 Sporting Goods, a baseball sized rock struck the windshield of his patrol car.
The impact of the rock caused a spider-web crack directly in front of the steering wheel. Luckily, the officer was not injured by rock.
The officer exited his car and saw the suspect run down the driveway of the Big 5 Sporting Goods store.
Although the officer gave chase, the suspect had a head start and eluded capture for the moment. Officers reviewed surveillance footage of the incident and obtained a detailed description of the suspect.
Officers searched the area and in the process spoke with employees at a nearby BART station. Within minutes, the suspect showed up at a BART station. Officers responded to the station, determined the man was the rock thrower, and arrested Frank Cook Sanders IV, a 30 year old from Richmond and Hercules.
Mr. Sanders was booking into the Contra Costa County Detention Facility on charges of assault on an officer, vandalism, and probation violation.
Information & photo provided by El Cerrito Police
