Oakland: Four suspects arrested in East Oakland robbery spree

OAKLAND — Four men have been arrested in at least 15 armed robberies since late February of men and women throughout the city, authorities said Wednesday.

In a press conference Tuesday at Oakland police headquarters, Oakland police Lt. Seth Neri praised investigators’ efforts that led to arrests and warrant services Tuesday afternoon at addresses in Oakland and Hayward.

“These suspects (were) committing an average of three to five robberies a night,” said Neri, who runs the felony assault and robbery section within the department’s criminal investigative division. “They began the robbery spree earlier this year, and committed the last one six days ago.”

The suspects, identified only as one Oakland and three Hayward residents ranging in age from 18 to 24 years old, targeted mostly male and at least three female Latinos on foot in multiple East Oakland neighborhoods. The victims’ ages ranged from 18 to 65 years old.

The suspects, who were armed with guns and knives, would take purses and wallets, jewelry, cash and other items, including credit cards which were later used by the suspects, authorities said. Some victims were pistol-whipped.

The four men were all arrested Tuesday, and search warrants were served at the suspects’ residences, including two locations each in Oakland and Hayward, with some stolen property recovered, police said. All were listed in custody Wednesday at Santa Rita Jail.

Citing the case’s numerous victims and ongoing investigations, Neri declined to provide specific information before the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charges the suspects. They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

“I just want to personally thank the community for assisting us on this case. My investigators tirelessly worked around the clock in our violent crime operation center,” said Neri said, adding that the suspects were safely apprehended. “I am hopeful that the arrest of the suspects will make Oakland safer and bring a sense of peace and justice to the victims that are terrorized.”

Anyone with information about this case or other possibly related robberies may call the department’s robbery section at 510-238-3326 or Crime Stoppers of Oakland at 510-777-8572.

Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.