Police briefs: 6-year-old suspect in skateboard theft

During the past week, police responded to reports of auto theft, robbery, burglary, someone using counterfeit money and a 13-year-old bringing booze to school. Here are a few incidents:

6-year-old suspect in skateboard theft

On May 10 at 4:10 p.m., a man in his late-20s distracted the store clerk at DC Shoes at the Gilroy Premium Outlets, while another suspect, a 6-year-old boy, exited the store with a skateboard depicting Ronald Reagan. The skateboard was valued at $180.

Robbed at gunpoint in northwest Gilroy

On May 7 at 9:15 p.m. on Learnard Way in northwest Gilroy, a 22-year-old man was allegedly robbed at gunpoint by three suspects, who took his cell phone and various gift cards. Then the suspects forced him to enter their car, and made  him show them where he lived. Once they drove to the home, the suspects were scared away by victim’s father, who the victim lives with. 

Intruder scared away on Eigleberry

On May 8 at 11:41 p.m., police say a man cut the screen window on a residence in the 7800 block of Eigleberry Street, reached over to the door and unlocked it, but left because the resident, was home at the time, frightened the intruder. 

The man was unknown to the resident and police have no suspects at this time, Police Sgt. Chad Gallacinao said. 

Police search for suspect in car theft

A red 1995 Honda Civic was stolen from a driveway on the 8100 block on Swanston Lane on May 9 between 12:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. 

The car has not been recovered and police are in the midst of investigating the incident, Gallacinao said. 

Man arrested for passing fake bills

On May 12 at 7 a.m., Gilroy resident Richard Motsenbocker, 27, was arrested for passing counterfeit money when he tried to use a counterfeit $100 bill at Safeway on First Street for the second time in two days, according to store staff. Motsenbocker was taken to custody at the Santa Clara County Jail, and police are currently investigating other counterfeit claims to verify Motsenbocker’s involvement, Gallacinao said. The U.S. Secret Service has also been notified. 

13-year-old brings alcohol to school

Police arrested a 13-year-old student at South Valley Middle School student for minor in possession, when school staff caught him with a half-empty bottle of whiskey in his backpack. The boy showed no visible signs of intoxication. 

Carly Gelsinger, staff writer