Local briefs

Drivers in Redwood City could see red light cameras at various intersections as early as next month but police plan a 30-day grace period before citations are issued.

The first intersection for the cameras is Whipple Avenue and Veterans Boulevard in the eastbound direction, according to a statement by the Redwood City Police Department.

The exact date for installation is uncertain but officials believe they could be in place as early as Nov. 1 if there are no construction delays. The city expects to install cameras at three additional sites although the locations were not announced. Citations will cost $348 following the month-long grace period.

The effort is aimed at reducing collisions and making the streets safer, according to the press release.

DA drops charges against

home invasion suspect

Citing an uncooperative victim, prosecutors dropped home invasion robbery charges against a 21-year-old Daly City man originally accused of forcing himself into a former neighbor’s home at gunpoint and binding her while stealing jewelry and electronics.

Prosecutors asked to dismiss the case against Roberto Antonio Detrinidad in the interest of justice and insufficient evidence. The vicim was uncooperative and may have been involved somehow in the incident, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

March trial for driver in fatal crash

The 27-year-old Portola Valley driver accused of causing killing one passenger and seriously injuring another in an alcohol-fueled crash earlier this year will stand trial in March on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, causing major injury and driving while unlicensed.

The March 10 trial of Ignacio Hernandez-Flores comes nearly a year after the fatal crash and his arrest. At approximately 12:40 a.m. April 1, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters from both Woodside and Menlo Park responded to a crash at 1550 Portola Road. A 1997 white Ford truck was discovered flipped and lodged against a tree with Hernandez-Flores and two passengers inside.

Marco Hernandez-Lopez, the 27-year-old front passenger, was dead at the scene and firefighters used the "Jaws of Life” to free the other two occupants. Both were taken to Stanford Medical Center where Hernandez-Flores was treated for a broken wrist and fractured rib and Hernandez-Lopez was treated for a ruptured bladder and multiple leg fractures.

Hernadez-Flores allegedly admitting consuming 12 beers before driving. At the preliminary hearing, Both sides stipulated that his blood alcohol level was .14 percent. He remains in custody in lieu of $750,000 bail and returns to court Jan. 29 for a pretrial conference.

Copper wire thieves arrested

Two San Leandro men were arrested for allegedly attempting to steal copper ground wiring at a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. substation Wednesday night, according to Menlo Park police.

Menlo Park police officers responded to the PG&E substation at 2000 Willow Road around 10 p.m. to assist California Highway Patrol officers who detained a suspect in possession of a stolen vehicle. A second suspect was located in the area, according to police.

Authorities determined that both men trespassed into the substation property and were in the process of removing copper ground wiring from power transmission towers at the substation. Robert Greer, 31 and Robert Malitz, 42, were both arrested and booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges of grand theft, felony vandalism, conspiracy and interfering with power lines.

Greer was also booked for parole violation and Malitz was charged with possession of stolen property.

A PG&E truck containing around 2,000 pounds of copper wiring was stolen in Petaluma on Tuesday, according to local police. No arrests have been made in connection with the robbery.

According to PG&E officials, the company has lost around $3.2 million since 2005 because of copper wire theft. Thieves usually take stolen wire to local recycling plants to exchange for cash.