Two separate investigations—not one crime series
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department issued two unrelated public-identification requests Friday involving alleged property crimes reported in different neighborhoods on August 10. Police have not announced that the incidents are connected.
One investigation concerns personal items allegedly taken from a parked vehicle in the 900 block of Real Road near California Avenue. The other concerns a residential flagpole allegedly broken and a United States flag taken in the 1100 block of South Chester Avenue.
The people described by police are being sought for identification and questioning. The public appeals do not establish their identities, prove that either person committed a crime or show that prosecutors have filed charges.
Read the source: BakersfieldNow: BPD seeks woman in Real Road vehicle-burglary investigation ↗
Real Road vehicle-burglary appeal
Police said the Real Road incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. August 10. Investigators described the person they want to identify as a woman approximately 40 to 50 years old, with a large build, brown-and-blond hair and tattoos on her right arm.
BPD said she was wearing a black shirt and jean shorts. Those details reflect the department's description from the night of the reported incident; clothing, hairstyle and appearance can change.
Information about this investigation should be directed to Detective Mayberry at (661) 326-3567 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.
Read the source: BakersfieldNow: BPD seeks man in South Chester Avenue flag-theft investigation ↗
South Chester Avenue flag-theft appeal
Police said the South Chester Avenue incident also occurred August 10. Investigators allege that a man broke a residential flagpole and took a United States flag.
BPD described the person as wearing a blue T-shirt, tan shorts, tan shoes and a cloth covering his head, and carrying a blue-and-white backpack. The department has not publicly identified him in the information reviewed for this report.
Information about this separate case should be directed to Detective Achtmann at (661) 326-3542 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.
Read the source: City of Bakersfield: Police Department contact information ↗
How to provide a useful tip without misidentifying someone
A reliable tip should explain what the witness personally observed, when and where it happened and whether original video or photographs exist. Files should be preserved in their original form because screenshots and repeated uploads can remove metadata or reduce image quality.
Residents should contact police rather than confronting someone or posting an unverified name online. Clothing, body type and tattoos alone can match many people, and a mistaken social-media identification can harm an uninvolved person while distracting investigators.
The accompanying image is an authentic public-domain file photograph of a Bakersfield Police Department cruiser. It does not show either August 10 incident, either person police are trying to identify or the evidence distributed with the appeals.
Read the source: Wikimedia Commons: Bakersfield police cruiser and public-domain status ↗
Sources and further reading
BakersfieldNow: BPD seeks woman in Real Road vehicle-burglary investigation ↗
BakersfieldNow: BPD seeks man in South Chester Avenue flag-theft investigation ↗
City of Bakersfield: Police Department contact information ↗
Wikimedia Commons: Bakersfield police cruiser and public-domain status ↗