Oakland police on Thursday arrested four suspects in connection with a series of early morning commercial burglaries and robberies, the department said.
The smash-and-grab spree targeted half a dozen gas stations and convenience stores, and left behind tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Police said they have also identified several other crews responsible for different commercial burglaries.
"We are going to track you down, we are going to arrest you, we are going to recover the video, and we are going to get the evidence," Oakland police Assistant Chief James Beere said.
Police said the crimes happened just after 4:45 a.m. at multiple locations throughout the city: the 3500 block of Grand Avenue, the 3300 block of Park Boulevard, the 700 block of Market Street, the 4100 block of Redwood Road, the 600 block of High Street and the 2400 block of MacArthur Boulevard.
Multiple suspects used vehicles to force their way into the businesses, according to police. After they got inside, the suspects burglarized or robbed the businesses before taking off in the vehicles.
Police tracked down the vehicles and ended up arresting three men and one woman in the 3400 block of Wood Street, the department said. Officers recovered property that they believe had been stolen during the crime spree.
The burglaries come as OPD said several crime is down by 37% and violent crime and burglaries are down by 33%.
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"If you are a victim you don't feel that, but the numbers are going down," Oakland police Chief Floyd Mitchell said. "We have a partner in the DA's office, with DA Ursala Jones Dickson and I believe we are trying to shift the narrative."
Oakland's police union questions the numbers and believes the declining statistics are due to under reporting, meaning people just not calling police anymore. The union continues to argue the department's chronic understaffing is contributing to crime.
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Meanwhile, an investigation into the crime spree is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 510-238-3951.
